Effect of Addition of Dried Beet-pulp on Silage Fermentation Quality of Fish Waste Inoculated with Lactic Acid Bacteria

[Objective] This study was to further enhance previous research in finding appropriate methods for preservation and utilization of fish waste.[Method]Fresh fish waste(head and viscera)from arabesque greenling(Pleurogrammus azonus)was mixed with dried beet-pulp and beet molasses at a ratio of 70:20:10 on fresh matter basis,respectively.These were inoculated with /without a commercial inoculant of Lactobacillus plantarum and ensiled at room temperature for 15,30,60 and 90 days.Fermentation quality and chemical composition of the silages were evaluated and a feeding trial conducted using hen layers with fish waste silage replacing 25% of a commercial formulated diet on dry matter basis.[Result] The concentration of lactic acid in the silages tended to increase with extension of the ensiling period and was significantly(P < 0.05)enhanced by the inoculant.The pH declined from 6.5 to around 4.4 during the first 15 days of the ensiling period and did not change much thereafter.The non-protein nitrogen(NPN)content increased two folds after 15 days in all silages relative to the material but the rate of volatile basic nitrogen(VBN)to total nitrogen(TN)was less than 10%.Feed intake and egg production was similar with replacement of 25% of the commercial formulated diet with fish waste silage.