Quality Assessment of Formic Acid Silage Developed from Squilla Oratosquilla nepa (Latreille)

Abstract

Silages were prepared by mixing formic acid with homogenized whole squilla Oratosquilla nepa at 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0 and 6.5% (v/w) levels. Samples were subjected to storage for 21 days at 28±2°C and changes in moisture, crude protein, ash content, crude lipid, chitin content and crude fibre were analyzed. Results indicated that moisture, chitin and ash contents were increased while, crude protein content decreased in the silage during the storage period. Crude lipid content decreased in 4.5% formic acid treated silage, while it was found to be increased in all other silage treatments with respect to the increase in storage period. Biochemical quality indices such as total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN), non-protein nitrogen (NPN), α amino nitrogen (AAN), peroxide values (PV) and free fatty acids (FFA) increased in all silage treatments with increase in experimental duration. The values were higher in silage prepared with 4.5% formic acid inclusion when compared with the low values in other silage treatments. The silage prepared from 5.5% formic acid inclusion maintained steady pH range of 3.82-3.87 during the experiment than the other silage treatments. Organoleptic analysis with respect to colour and odour showed better consistency in 5.5% formic acid silage than other silage treatments and remained in good condition throughout the storage period.