Effects of Achatina fulica mucus as antimicrobial additive on chemical compositions, fermentation quality, and in vitro digestibility of elephant grass silage

This study was purposed to evaluate the utilization of Achatina fulica mucus as an antimicrobial to increase the quality of elephant grass silage. Total of 100 mL of achatina mucus (AM) was isolated from 20 heads of Achatina fulica using electric shock method. The AM contained 3,07 mg/5 mL of total protein. The 45 d old of elephant grass was harvested, wilted, and then chopped at 3-5 cm. Chopped grass was ensiled into 4 kg mini-silo for 21 d with different silage additives in triplicate, consisting of: without additives (P0); with 1% of AM (P1); and with combination of AM and microbial complex inoculant at 1:1 ratio. The compositions of elephant grass silage were not affected by the application of additives. The P2 silage resulted in the lowest (P<0.05) pH and yeast count. Both P1 and P2 silages had higher (P<0.05) lactate concentration than P0. Moreover, clostridia was not detected in both P1 and P2 silages. Both P1 and P2 silages had a higher (P<0.05) in vitro digestibility of dry matter and organic matter than P0 silage. The present study concluded that applying AM was effective to inhibit clostridia and improve fermentation quality and digestibility in the rumen. A combination of AM and MCI was generally recommended to increase the quality and digestibility of elephant grass silage.