Evaluation of preservation methods for improving biogas production and enzymatic conversion yields of annual crops

Table 1 Chemical composition of whole-crop maize before and after ensiling (4 and 8 months) without or with formic acid (0.5% of fresh material)

Components, percentage of dry matter	Fresh	Ensiled without additives		Ensiled with formic acid
	Month 0	Month 4	Month 8	Month 4	Month 8
Dry matter, %	16.7	18.6	17.9	18.8	19.8
WSC^a	14.0	0.6	8.2	23.9	22.3
Glucose	5.7	0.6	6.5	12.1	11.3
Fructose	8.0	X	X	11.1	10.2
Glucans^b	13.3	11.0	6.2	11.0	12.1
Cellulose	23.6	26.0	22.4	27.5	24.3
Arabinoxylans	17.0	17.3	16.6	17.8	18.0
Galactans	0.9	0.9	0.6	0.9	0.8
Galacturonic acid	1.7	X	X	X	X
Lignin	14.1	15.8	14.5	15.3	15.8
Protein	10.6	10.6	10.0	10.6	10.6
Ash	8.0	7.9	7.7	7.3	7.5

Samples were extracted with acetone. Water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and fructose were determined from the filtrates of the blended crop.
^aNon-structural carbohydrates expressed as total monosaccharides.
^bGlucans from non-cellulose parts.
X = < 0.5% of dry matter.

ISSN: 2731-3654