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Volatile fatty acids in stored animal slurry
Author(s) -
Cooper Paul,
Cornforth Ian S.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2740290104
Subject(s) - slurry , volatile fatty acids , valeric acid , butyric acid , chemistry , aeration , hydrolysate , food science , acetic acid , anaerobic exercise , fermentation , biochemistry , biology , hydrolysis , environmental science , rumen , organic chemistry , environmental engineering , physiology
Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were measured in slurry stored in farm and laboratory conditions. All slurries from farm sources contained VFAs; acetic acid was predominant, followed by propionic, n‐butyric, iso‐butyric, iso‐valeric and n‐valeric. On average, pig slurry contained more total VFAs than did cow slurry. VFAs persisted in anaerobic conditions but decomposed rapidly when air was passed through slurry in laboratory experiments; decomposition was slower when air was passed over the slurry surface. Very little VFA formed when anaerobic conditions were re‐imposed on aerated slurry unless glucose or protein hydrolysate was added. The pH of slurry was increased by passing air or nitrogen through it and decreased by adding glucose.