Characterization and in vitro evaluations of Baru pulp from almond production waste ensiled with different additives

The silage process is an efficient way of storing nutrients for animal nutrition. Our hypothesis was that the Baru pulp can be preserved in the form of silage, regardless of the use of additives to aid the process. Silages of Baru pulp containing different additives were evaluated through in vitro analysis, fermentation parameters, and composition and thermal analysis including differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. The treatments consisted of (1) silage with Baru pulp (BP) in natura without additive; (2) BP in natura with acetic acid; (3) BP in natura with formic acids; and (4) BP in natura added with microbial inoculums in a randomized experimental design with three replications per treatment and analyzed in duplicate. The ensiled material was kept in anaerobic conditions for a period of 30 days. BP before and after the silage process presented averages of 67.31 and 66.24% for in vitro digestibility of DM (IVDMD). Microbial inoculant additive was the most effective in reducing pH, followed by acetic acid and formic acid. There were effects of additives on silages for all degradation parameters in ruminal liquid in vitro. It was observed that BP before ensiling had the highest A fraction (7.9 mL gas/100 mg DM), without differing from the silage treated with formic acid (7.1 mL gas/100 mg DM). Similar effects were observed on mass loss (TG) and heat flux (DSC) between the silages. Our findings suggest that Baru pulp with formic acid is more efficient in the conservation and preservation of fermentable carbohydrates as well as in silage production.