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Inhibition of clostridial growth by nitrate during the early phase of silage fermentation
Author(s) -
Spoelstra Sierk F.
Publication year - 1983
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.2740340206
Subject(s) - nitrate , clostridia , silage , nitrite , fermentation , chemistry , food science , nitric oxide , biology , bacteria , organic chemistry , genetics
Abstract Clostridial activity and nitrate‐reduction during ensiling were monitored in laboratory experiments. Wilted and unwilted grass with different amounts of natural or added nitrate were ensiled. Nitrate, probably by its reduction products nitrite and nitric oxide, prevented clostridial growth during the phase of acidification. In nitrate‐free grass clostridial activity started immediately after ensiling. When ensiling nitrate‐containing grass clostridia did not grow as long as nitrate was present.