Influence on lactic acid content in maize silage variations by manganese supplementation

• Maize silage variations were supplemented by manganese in different concentrations.
• Manganese addition had no effect on the lactic acid content in the silage.
• In fact the addition of carbonated lime increased the lactic acid amount by 169.4%.

Immense research has been performed on influencing silage characteristics by use of biological and chemical additives. For new applications, such as the non-food material use of silage ingredients (e.g. lactic acid) in biorefineries, new ensiling techniques and additives are required. To investigate the influence of manganese supplementation on lactic acid production in maize silage, different concentrations of MnSO4 (0.001 g kg−1 & 0.003 g kg−1) and contrast treatments (homofermentative lactic acid bacteria (LAB) mixture & carbonated lime in various combinations) were applied to the raw material maize. Manganese addition had no effect (r = 0.047) on the lactic acid content in the silage. In fact the addition of carbonated lime (13.81 g kg−1) increased the lactic acid amount by 169.4% up to 167.3 ± 3.1 g kg−1 DM (dry matter). As well the addition of the homofermentative LAB mixture slightly increased the amount of lactic acid in the silage by 12.6%.

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