Studies were conducted to determine the effects of different ensiling densities on fermentation, aerobic stability, and nutritive value of maize and sorghum silages. Maize and sorghum were harvested at dough (363 g/kg) and milk stages (275 g/kg), respectively. Herbages were chopped approximately 1.5 cm after harvest and then ensiled in mini silos at high and low-bulk densities for 8.5 weeks. Different bulk densities were achieved by ensiling different weights of herbage in the fixed-volume mini silos (1.5-L anaerobic jars, Weck, Germany). The obtained dry matter (DM) densities were 168 and 216 kg of DM/m³ for maize forage and 132 and 178 kg of DM/m³ for sorghum forage. Fermentation kinetics, the rate of aerobic deterioration upon aerobic exposure, and nutrient digestibility were followed during the periods of ensiling (on days 2, 4, 8, 15, and 60). In all cases, increased packing density resulted in silages with lower acetate content, ammonium N levels, and fermentation losses, but lactate content did not differ. Butyrate was detected in appreciable amounts only in sorghum silage. Propionate was not detected in any silage. Tightly packed silages remained stable upon exposure to air. Tight packing increases the digestibly of nutrients and improves the energy content of silages. These data show that high density limits air infiltration and reduces the oxidation loss during storage and feed-out. As a consequence, more dry matter is recovered and more energy is preserved.

This experiment was conducted to establish the effects of two types of microalgae [ Chlorella vulgaris (AI), C. variabilis (AII) and their combination (AI+AII)] with two substrates (wheat and corn silages) on rumen fermentation, gas and methane production. To each substrate, one of 3 algae treatment was supplemented at 0% and 25% of the total incubated dry matter. A series of 5 measurement points (3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h) were completed and the gas production was monitored. The proximate and mineral composition of microalgae and substrates were examined. At 48 h incubation rumen fermentation variables and CH ₄ production were also assessed. When compared with wheat silage, corn silage caused an increase in gas production (P<0.05). Ruminal gas production decreased in the algae groups when compared to the controls (0% algae, wheat and corn silages, P<0.05). Among algae, C. vulgaris had the strongest effect, decreasing gas production by 34%. Among algae, the total volatile fatty acids (VFA) and CH ₄ production were found to be lower in C. variabilis (P<0.001). Ammonia-N increased with the algae inclusion (P0.05). The propionate was the highest (P<0.05) for corn silage when incubated with C. vulgaris . Ruminal butyrate was the lowest for the wheat silage when incubated with the mixture of algae (P<0.05). The NH ₃ -N was the highest in corn silage when incubated with all algae types (P<0.05). Careful selection and combination of substrate and algae may positively manipulate rumen fermentation and may inhibit CH ₄ production. Further research is needed to validate these results in vivo .

Two in vitro studies were carried out on nonlactating dairy cows. Experiment 1 compared the methanogenesis and rumen fermentation parameters of various microalgae (Spirulina platensis, Chlorella vulgaris, and Schizochytrium spp.) and protein feeds (sunflower meal, soybean meal, and alfalfa hay) with monensin (MON). Rumen fermentation parameters were determined by an in vitro gas production system. Experiment 2 compared the ability of three microalgae to prevent acidosis. They were tested for 6 h against oat straw (100 mg) and MON (12 g/mL) to ameliorate ruminal acidosis caused by the addition of glucose (0.1 g/mL) as a fermentable carbohydrate with rumen fluid. In experiment 1, there were variations in the nutrient content of microalgae and protein sources. The dry matter content of the substrates ranged from 90 to 94%, and the organic matter content ranged from 82 to 88%, with Schizochytrium spp. having the highest. Protein content in algae and protein feeds ranged from 18–62% of dry matter (DM) to 16–48% DM, with S. platensis and C. vulgaris having the highest. The ether extract of Schizochytrium spp. (45.5% DM) was the highest of any substrate. In vitro rumen fermentation revealed that protein feeds increased the cumulative gas production at the highest level while MON caused a decrease. Ruminal pH was found to be higher in MON (6.95) and protein feeds (6.77–6.81) than in algae (6.37–6.50). In addition, in terms of metabolizable energy and digestible organic matter, protein feeds outperformed algae. The MON produced the least amount of methane (CH₄) of any substrate, but Schizochytrium spp. demonstrated potential for CH₄ reduction. In these groups, the decrease in CH₄ production was accompanied by a decrease in total volatile fatty acids, acetate, and the acetate-to-propionate ratio, but an increase in propionate. Experiment 2 revealed MON as the most effective cure for controlling acidosis. However, C. vulgaris and Schizochytrium spp. had an effect on medium culture pH and demonstrated potential for acidosis prevention. This study found that algae can influence ruminal fermentation, have the potential to reduce CH₄ production, and may reduce acidosis incidence rates. These assumptions, however, must be validated through in vivo studies.

The current study was undertaken to investigate the ensilage characteristics in triticale lines treated by inoculants and their interaction on fermentation metabolites and rumen degradability. Costs were estimated for growing and feeding whole-crop triticale lines for animal production. Triticale hybrids were harvested at the dough stage of maturity (38% dry matter, DM). Plants were chopped approximately 2 cm after harvest and then treated with inoculants and were ensiled in 1.5-L mini laboratory silos. Two lactic acid bacterial inoculants with enzymes (LAB+enzymes I: Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Streptococcus faecium with cellulase, hemicellulase, pentosanase, and amylase; LAB+enzyme II: P. acidilactici, L. plantarum, and amylase) were used as silage additives. Inoculants were applied at 1.5 × 10⁵ cfu/g chopped fresh material. Silages with no additive served as the control. Four jars per treatment were sampled on day 60 after ensiling for chemical and microbiological analysis. At the end of the ensiling period (60 day), the silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test. The nutrient degradability of silages was determined in situ. Overall, there were no obvious interactions between triticale lines and the treatments for any of the parameters measured. The fermentation and nutritive value of silages were affected by treatments. LAB+enzymes increased the concentrations of lactic acid of the triticale silages and decreased the concentrations of butyric acid, total alcohols, and ammonia-N. Under aerobic conditions, LAB+enzyme treated silages had lower pH, CO₂ production, and number of yeasts. Fibrous fractions were decreased with the application of LAB+enzymes. The 48 h in situ organic matter, DM, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility of the silages were enhanced by treatments. Addition LAB+enzymes to dough stage triticale silage reduces proteolysis; the inoculant possess antimicrobial properties and improves fermentation and nutritional value. The economic results are favorable financially for growing winter triticale as an animal feed in Mediterranean-type climates.

Probiotic microorganisms are vital for gut health, but their viability is compromised by environmental stressors such as gastric acidity, bile salts, temperature, and oxygen. Encapsulation is a promising strategy to enhance probiotic stability and targeted release. In this study, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei were encapsulated using an emulsion method with carob flour, a natural material with prebiotic potential. Encapsulation conditions were optimized using the Box–Behnken Design, considering mixing temperature, mixing time, and carob flour amount. The encapsulation efficiencies were 79.51% ± 0.36% for L. rhamnosus and 74.98% ± 0.20% for L. paracasei . Encapsulation induced significant compositional and structural changes, as confirmed by physicochemical, FTIR, and SEM analysis. Encapsulated probiotics exhibited higher viability than free bacteria during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and under refrigerated and frozen storage. Encapsulation with carob flour is a promising approach to enhance probiotic stability and bioavailability in functional food applications.