The presence of aflatoxins in silage can present a serious health risk for both animals and humans. Scientists from the University of Torino, and the Institute of Sciences of Food production in Italy, used NCIMB 40788 Lactobacillus buchneri in a study that aimed to evaluate the origin of aflatoxins in corn silage. The fresh herbage was subjected to different lactic acid bacteria treatments prior to being ensiled for 250 days. The pre-ensiled material, the silages at silo opening, and samples of the silages after seven and 14 days of exposure to air, were then analysed.
The authors found that the inoculation with lactic acid bacteria increased the aerobic stability of the silages and delayed the onset of aerobic microbial degradation, which in turn indirectly reduced the risk of Aspergillus flavus outgrowth and afalotoxin B1 production after silage opening.
The paper has been published in the Journal of Dairy Science: 102, pp 1176 – 1193, Ferrero et al (2019) Increase in aflatoxins due to Aspergillus section Flavi multiplication during the aerobic deterioration of corn silage treated with different bacteria inocula.
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Published: 16 Dec 2019
