The interaction between additives, yeast and patulin production in grass silage

Both laboratory-prepared and sterile farm silage was found to support growth of Paecilomyces sp. and patulin production. The formation of patulin was affected by the levels of yeast present in the silage, and it was found that there was an inverse relationship between yeast population levels and patulin concentration. The commercial silage additive, "Sylade' had a greater lethal effect on yeast and fungi than "Add F', the latter allowing the formation of patulin by Paecilomyces sp. in the silage.