2025•International Journal of Agriculture and BiologyOpen access

Feed Alternatives with Cactus Forage Silage for Animal Nutrition

Messias de Sousa Nogueira, Gherman Garcia Leal de Araújo, Edson Mauro Santos, Severino Gonzaga Neto, Juliana Silva de Oliveira, Alexandre Fernandes Perazzo, Anderson de Moura Zanine, Ricardo Martins Araújo Pinho, Yohana Rosaly Corrêa, Danillo Marte Pereira

Open full text 13 citations

Abstract

Wheat bran is commonly used as an absorbent additive in high moisture silages and urea for its possible actions against undesirable microorganisms. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of wheat bran and urea on the fermentation profile, silage losses and chemical composition of Opuntia silage. Four levels of wheat bran (0, 50, 100 and 200 g kg-1 of dry matter) with urea (10 g kg-1 dry matter) or without urea were added in Opuntia silage. Wheat bran negatively influenced gas losses (GL) and the levels of organic acids. The addition of urea (P < 0.05) reduced GL, but increases the concentrations of lactic acid and propionic acid. Populations of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), moulds and yeasts were reduced by the addition of urea and wheat bran (P < 0.05). Regarding the bromatological constituents, an interaction effect between the factors was only observed (P < 0.05) for the variables of lignin (LIG) and total soluble carbohydrates (TSC), with increased contents. In conclusion, a dose of 200 g kg-1 of wheat bran associated with 10 g kg-1 of dry matter in Opuntia silage seemed viable option to reduce the silage losses along with sizable improvement in the nutritional value of silage.

Open-access reader

About this research paper

What this paper is about

Wheat bran is commonly used as an absorbent additive in high moisture silages and urea for its possible actions against undesirable microorganisms. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of wheat bran and urea on the fermentation profile, silage losses and chemical composition of Opuntia silage. Four levels of wheat bran (0, 50, 100 and 200 g kg-1 of dry matter) with urea (10 g kg-1 dry matter) or without urea were added in Opuntia silage. Wheat bran negatively influenced gas losses (GL) and the levels of organic acids. The addition of urea (P < 0.05) reduced GL, but increases the concentrations of lactic acid and propionic acid. Populations of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), moulds and yeasts were reduced by the addition of urea and wheat bran (P < 0.05). Regarding the bromatological constituents, an interaction effect between the factors was only observed (P < 0.05) for the variables of lignin (LIG) and total soluble carbohydrates (TSC), with increased contents. In conclusion, a dose of 200 g kg-1 of wheat bran associated with 10 g kg-1 of dry matter in Opuntia silage seemed viable option to reduce the silage losses along with sizable improvement in the nutritional value of silage.

Why it matters

OpenAlex reports 13 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

Key contribution

A contribution statement is not available in the OpenAlex record.

Method / approach

Method details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Main findings

Findings are not separately available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Limitations

Limitations are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Applications

Application details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Available abstract

Wheat bran is commonly used as an absorbent additive in high moisture silages and urea for its possible actions against undesirable microorganisms. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of wheat bran and urea on the fermentation profile, silage losses and chemical composition of Opuntia silage. Four levels of wheat bran (0, 50, 100 and 200 g kg-1 of dry matter) with urea (10 g kg-1 dry matter) or without urea were added in Opuntia silage. Wheat bran negatively influenced gas losses (GL) and the levels of organic acids. The addition of urea (P < 0.05) reduced GL, but increases the concentrations of lactic acid and propionic acid. Populations of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), moulds and yeasts were reduced by the addition of urea and wheat bran (P < 0.05). Regarding the bromatological constituents, an interaction effect between the factors was only observed (P < 0.05) for the variables of lignin (LIG) and total soluble carbohydrates (TSC), with increased contents. In conclusion, a dose of 200 g kg-1 of wheat bran associated with 10 g kg-1 of dry matter in Opuntia silage seemed viable option to reduce the silage losses along with sizable improvement in the nutritional value of silage.

Key concepts: Biology, Silage, Cactus, Forage, Agronomy, Fodder, Animal feed, Biotechnology

Related papers

Back to paper searchBrowse research topicsOriginal source
Feed Alternatives with Cactus Forage Silage for Animal Nutrition — Research Paper | ScholarLens