Index >> Microbiology of Food >> Ensilage

In the first stag heterofermentative lactic bacteria belonging to Enterobacter­iaceae predominate. Many of them produce gas and unpleasant flavours and are not desirable. As acidity increases, they subside and more aciduric homofermentative lactic bacteria predominate. A proteolytic or putrefactive fermentation may occur if too much soil is introduced with the fodder or plants too high in nitrogenous material are placed in a silo. Similarly Clostricbium butyricum ruins the ensilage by produc­ing butyric acid, which makes it rancid.

However, this can be prevented by any one of the two processes. One is to mix plants with suitable quantities of high carbohydrate or molasses. The other is to introduce cultures of Lactobacillus, spp. or Streptococcus lactis to facilitate an acid fermentation.