• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.62-72
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• 2016

This study investigated the dynamics associated with prolonged ensiling and aerobic deterioration of whole crop corn (WCC) silages and total mixed ration (TMR) silages containing WCC (C-TMR silages) to clarify the differences that account for the enhanced aerobic stability of TMR silages. Laboratory-scale barrel silos were randomly opened after 7, 14, 28, and 56 d of ensiling and were subjected to analyses of fermentation quality, microbial and temperature dynamics during aerobic exposure. WCC and C-TMR silages were both well preserved and microorganisms were inhibited with prolonged ensiling, including lactic acid bacteria. Yeast were inhibited to below the detection limit of 500 cfu/g fresh matter within 28 d of ensiling. Aerobic stability of both silages was enhanced with prolonged ensiling, whereas C-TMR silages were more aerobically stable than WCC silages for the same ensiling period. Besides the high moisture content, the weak aerobic stability of WCC silage is likely attributable to the higher lactic acid content and yeast count, which result from the high water-soluble carbohydrates content in WCC. After silo opening, yeast were the first to propagate and the increase in yeast levels is greater than that of other microorganisms in silages before deterioration. Besides, increased levels of aerobic bacteria were also detected before heating of WCC silages. The temperature dynamics also indicated that yeast are closely associated with the onset of the aerobic deterioration of C-TMR silage, whereas for WCC silages, besides yeast, aerobic bacteria also function in the aerobic deterioration. Therefore, the inclusion of WCC might contribute to the survival of yeast during ensiling but not influence the role of yeast in deterioration of C-TMR silages.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 2017

Objective: This study investigated the association of enzyme-producing microbes and their enzymes with starch and hemicellulose degradation during fermentation of total mixed ration (TMR) silage. Methods: The TMRs were prepared with soybean curd residue, alfalfa hay (ATMR) or Leymus chinensis hay (LTMR), corn meal, soybean meal, vitamin-mineral supplements, and salt at a ratio of 25:40:30:4:0.5:0.5 on a dry matter basis. Laboratory-scale bag silos were randomly opened after 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, and 56 days of ensiling and subjected to analyses of fermentation quality, carbohydrates loss, microbial amylase and hemicellulase activities, succession of dominant amylolytic or hemicellulolytic microbes, and their microbial and enzymatic properties. Results: Both ATMR and LTMR silages were well preserved, with low pH and high lactic acid concentrations. In addition to the substantial loss of water soluble carbohydrates, loss of starch and hemicellulose was also observed in both TMR silages with prolonged ensiling. The microbial amylase activity remained detectable throughout the ensiling in both TMR silages, whereas the microbial hemicellulase activity progressively decreased until it was inactive at day 14 post-ensiling in both TMR silages. During the early stage of fermentation, the main amylase-producing microbes were Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (B. amyloliquefaciens), B. cereus, B. licheniformis, and B. subtilis in ATMR silage and B. flexus, B. licheniformis, and Paenibacillus xylanexedens (P. xylanexedens) in LTMR silage, whereas Enterococcus faecium was closely associated with starch hydrolysis at the later stage of fermentation in both TMR silages. B. amyloliquefaciens, B. licheniformis, and B. subtilis and B. licheniformis, B. pumilus, and P. xylanexedens were the main source of microbial hemicellulase during the early stage of fermentation in ATMR and LTMR silages, respectively. Conclusion: The microbial amylase contributes to starch hydrolysis during the ensiling process in both TMR silages, whereas the microbial hemicellulase participates in the hemicellulose degradation only at the early stage of ensiling.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.100-110
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• 2020

Objective: The objective of this study was to isolate proteolytic microorganisms and evaluate their effects on proteolysis in total mixed ration (TMR) silages of soybean curd residue. Methods: TMRs were formulated with soybean curd residue, alfalfa or Leymus chinensis hay, corn meal, soybean meal, a vitamin-mineral supplement, and salt in a ratio of 25.0: 40.0:30.0:4.0:0.5:0.5, respectively, on a basis of dry matter. The microbial proteinases during ensiling were characterized, the dominate strains associated with proteolysis were identified, and their enzymatic characterization were evaluated in alfalfa (A-TMR) and Leymus chinensis (L-TMR) TMR silages containing soybean curd residue. Results: Both A-TMR and L-TMR silages were well preserved, with low pH and high lactic acid concentrations. The aerobic bacteria and yeast counts in both TMR silages decreased to about 10⁵ cfu/g fresh matter (FM) and below the detection limit, respectively. The lactic acid bacteria count increased to 10⁹ cfu/g FM. The total microbial proteinases activities reached their maximums during the early ensiling stage and then reduced in both TMR silages with fermentation prolonged. Metalloproteinase was the main proteinase when the total proteinases activities reached their maximums, and when ensiling terminated, metallo and serine proteinases played equally important parts in proteolysis in both TMR silages. Strains in the genera Curtobacterium and Paenibacillus were identified as the most dominant proteolytic bacteria in A-TMR and L-TMR, respectively, and both their proteinases were mainly with metalloproteinase characteristics. In the latter ensiling phase, Enterococcus faecium strains became the major sources of proteolytic enzymes in both TMR silages. Their proteinases were mainly of metallo and serine proteinases classes in this experiment. Conclusion: Proteolytic aerobic bacteria were substituted by proteolytic lactic acid bacteria during ensiling, and the microbial serine and metallo proteinases in these strains played leading roles in proteolysis in TMR silages.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.1482-1486
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• 2003

In order to compare effects of feeding systems on rumen fermentation characteristics and nutrient digestion, steers were fed either total mixed ration (TMR) or separate concentrate-roughage ration (CR). Total tract digestibility of nutrients was higher in steers receiving TMR. Especially, DM, ADF and NDF in TMR were digested to a greater extent than those in CR. Rumen pH was not influenced by the feeding systems. Holstein steers on TMR had higher ruminal $NH_3$-N than those on CR. Feeding system did not alter VFA production but TMR feeding resulted in lower A/P ratio. TMR feeding tended to increase the number of bacteria and protozoa in the rumen fluid. Also steers fed TMR generally had higher fiber degrading enzyme activities, which might be the result of increased number of cellulolytic microbes in the rumen of animals on TMR. Our results indicate that TMR may provide more favorable condition for nutrient digestion both in the rumen and in the total tract of steers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.516-522
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• 2016

We investigated the effects of the predominant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability of total mixed ration (TMR) silage containing soybean curd residue (SC-TMR silage). The SC-TMR materials were ensiled in laboratory silos for 14 or 56 days. LAB predominant in SC-TMR silage were identified (Exp. 1). Lactobacillus fermentum (L. fermentum) and Streptococcus bovis (S. bovis) were found in the untreated materials, Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides (L. pseudomesenteroides) in 14-day silage and Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) in all silages. Pediococcus acidilactici (P. acidilactici), Lactobacillus paracasei (L. paracasei), and Lactobacillus brevis (L. brevis) formed more than 90% of the isolates in 56- day silage. Italian ryegrass and whole crop maize were inoculated with P. acidilactici and L. brevis isolates and the fermentation and aerobic stability determined (Exp. 2). Inoculation with P. acidilactici and L. brevis alone or combined improved the fermentation products in ryegrass silage and markedly enhanced its aerobic stability. In maize silage, P. acidilactici and L. brevis inoculation caused no changes and suppressed deterioration when combined with increases in acetic acid content. The results indicate that P. acidilactici and L. brevis may produce a synergistic effect to inhibit SC-TMR silage deterioration. Further studies are needed to identify the inhibitory substances, which may be useful for developing potential antifungal agents.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.295-305
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• 2013

Purpose: Recent research showed that total mixed ration (TMR) feeding for pigs improved the productivity and reduced feed cost and manure odor. An automatic TMR feeding system was developed for this study because the conventional feeder cannot deliver the TMR containing roughage. Methods: Conventional feeding systems and physical properties of TMR were surveyed, and performance tests of the conventional feeder were conducted to develop a TMR feeder. Based on the TMR feeder was developed and installed, driving, measuring weight, radio frequency identification (RFID) reading, and discharging test for feeding were conducted to ensure the performance. Results: Moisture content, density, and angle of repose of the TMR 1 (mixture of 30% cut IRG silage and 70% concentrates) were 31.6%, 387 $kg/m^3$, and $51^{\circ}$, respectively. Moisture content, density, and angle of repose of the TMR 2 (mixture of 45% concentrates, 30% cut IRG silage and by-products, 10% bean curd refuse, 10% others, and 5% fermenter) were 22.2%, 544 $kg/m^3$, and $50^{\circ}$, respectively. The coefficient of variation (C.V.) of conventional concentrate feeding were 1.9~4.1%, and C.V. of TMR containing 1~3% cut IRG roughage feeding by conventional feeder were 9~42%. The conventional disc type feeder was not suitable for TMR feeding because the supply unit was clogged. The C.V. of TMR 1 was 0.6~7.9% when 0.5~10 kg of the TMR supplied, and it was suitable for feeding grow-finish pigs and sows. On the contrary, the C.V. with TMR 2 was 28% when 0.5 kg of the TMR supplied, and it was not suitable for feeding sows. Conclusions: The TMR feeder developed in this study was suitable for feeding grow-finish pigs because the feeder performed stably with over 5.0 kg feed. However, the feeder showed a lack of accuracy for feeding sows because the amount of each feed was more than 0.5 kg per a feeding. Therefore, the improvement of outlet structure for accurate feeding is needed for sow feeding.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.461-473
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• 2017

Total mixed ration (TMR) including concentrate diet and roughage together have been used for the ruminant animal. Relatively high concentrations of moisture and water soluble carbohydrate are representative feature of TMR. Those moisture and water can also provide a niche for bacterial growth. Therefore, a possible fermentation of TMR induced by micro-organism is generally accepted. The present study hypothesized that different lactic acid bacteria could alter fermentation of TMR and subsequently rumen fermentation. Three lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus paracasei (A), L. plantarum (B) and L. parabuchneri (C), were employed and 7 treatments under full factorial design were compared with control without inoculation. TMR for dairy cow was used. Significant alterations by treatments were detected at lactic acid and butyric acid contents in TMR (p<0.05). Treatment AC (mixture of A and C) and BC (mixture of B and C) showed great lactate production. Great butyrate production was found at treatment C. At in vitro rumen fermentation, treatments B, C and AB (mixture of A and B) showed significantly great total gas production (p<0.05). All treatments except treatments B and AB, showed less dry matter digestibility, significantly (p<0.05). Total volatile fatty acid production at treatment AC was significantly greater than others (p<0.05). In individual volatile fatty acid production, treatment AB and AC showed great acetate and propionate productions, significantly (p<0.05). This study investigated correlation between organic acid production in TMR and rumen volatile fatty acid production. And it was found that butyric acid in TMR had significant negative correlation with acetate, propionate, total volatile fatty acid, AP ratio and dry matter digestibility.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.80-86
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• 2016

An in vitro trial was conducted to examine the effects of total mixed rations (TMR) on fermentation characteristics and effective degradability (ED) by rumen microbes. Three TMR diets were growing period TMR (GR-TMR, 67% TDN), early fattening period TMR (EF-TMR, 75.4% TDN) and late fattening TMR (LF-TMR, 80% TDN). Three TMR diets (3 g of TMRs in each incubation bottles) was added to the mixed culture solution of stained rumen fluid with artificial saliva (1:1, v/v) and incubated anaerobically for 48 hours at $39^{\circ}C$. The pH in all incubation solutions tended to decrease up to 48h, but the opposite results were found in concentration of total gas production, ammonia-N and total VFA in all incubations.The total gas production (p<0.05) in LF-TMR was highest compared with those of other diets. Also, concentration of total VFA was tended to increase in LF-TMR compared with other TMR diets in all incubations. The EDDM in both EF-TMR and LF-TMR was tended to high compared with GR-TMR (p=0.100). In this in vitro trials, concentration of propionate in all incubation solution was not affected by increased concentration of TDN. The results of the present in vitro study indicate that TMR may provide more favorable condition for nutrient digestion both in the rumen.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.1479-1490
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• 2021

Objective: Our recent findings confirmed the effectiveness of sodium metabisulfite (SMB) in controlling the growth of undesirable microorganisms in fruit and vegetable discards (FVD); however, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are susceptible to its antibacterial effects. Two series of experiments were conducted to enable the survivability of LAB during silage fermentation of a total mixed ration (TMR) containing SMB-treated FVD. Methods: In Exp. 1, the objective was to isolate a strain of LAB tolerable to the toxic effect of SMB. In Exp. 2, the SMB load was minimized through its partial replacement with a chemical mixture (CM) based on sodium benzoate (57%), potassium sorbate (29%), and sodium nitrite (14%). FVD was treated with SMB + CM (2 g each/kg biomass) and added to the TMR at varying levels (0%, 10%, or 20%), with or without KU18 inoculation. Results: The KU18 was screened as a presumptive LAB strain showing superior tolerance to SMB in broth medium, and was identified at the molecular level using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis as Lactobacillus plantarum. Inoculation of KU18 in TMR containing SMB was not successful for the LAB development, biomass acidification, and organoleptic properties of the resultant silage. In Exp. 2, based on the effectiveness and economic considerations, an equal proportion of SMB and CM (2 g each/kg FVD) was selected as the optimal loads for the subsequent silage fermentation experiment. Slight differences were determined in LAB development, biomass acidification, and sensorial characteristics among the experimental silages, suggesting the low toxicity of the preservatives on LAB growth. Conclusion: Although KU18 strain was not able to efficiently develop in silage mass containing SMB-treated FVD, the partial substitution of SMB load with the CM effectively alleviated the toxic effect of SMB and allowed LAB development during the fermentation of SMB + CM-treated FVD in TMR.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.276-285
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• 2022

This study evaluated the effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB, a mixture of Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus plantarum) supplementation, the storage temperature, and storage period on the fermentation characteristics and in vitro ruminal digestibility of a total mixed ration (TMR). The TMR was prepared into two groups, namely, CON (control TMR without the LAB) and ML (supplementing a mixture of E. faecium and L. plantarum in the ratio of 1% and 2% (v/w), respectively). Both groups were divided and stored at 4℃ or 25℃ for 3, 7, and 14 d fermentation periods. Supplementing LAB to the TMR did not affect the chemical composition of TMR except for the lactate and acetate concentration. Storage temperatures affected (p<0.05) the chemical composition of the TMR, including pH, lactate, and acetate contents. The chemical composition of TMR was also affected (p<0.05) by the storage period. During in vitro rumen fermentation study, the ML treatment showed lower (p<0.05) dry matter digestibility at 24 h incubation with a higher pH compared to the CON. There was no difference in the in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of TMR between the CON and ML treatment however, at 24 h, ML treatment showed lower (p<0.05) IVDMD with a higher pH compared to the CON. The effects of storage temperature and period on IVDMD were not apparent at 24 h incubation. In an in vivo study using Holstein steers, supplementing LAB to the basal TMR for 60 d did not differ in the final body weight and average daily gain. Likewise, the fecal microbiota did not differ between CON and ML. However, the TMR used for the present study did include a commercial yeast in CON, whereas ML did not; therefore, results were, to some extent, compromised in examining the effect of LAB. In conclusion, storage temperature and period significantly affected the TMR quality, increasing acetate and lactate concentration. However, the actual effects of LAB supplementation were equivocal.