Abstract: Five mould inhibitors (potassium sorbate, sodium dehydroacetate, sodium benzoate, propionic acid and calcium propionate) were added to total mixed ration at rates of 0.15% and 0.30% of the fresh weight to examine their effect on preservation quality of TMR in a 7-day storage experiment. The results showed that TMR added 0.15% and 0.3% of sodium dehydroacetate or 0.3% of potassium sorbate remained a good quality and normal temperature during storage period. On the second day of the experiment, the moisture of TMR supplemented with 0.15% and 0.3% of propionic acid, 0.15% and 0.3% of calcium propionate and 0.15% of sodium benzoate was significantly lower than the control group (P＜0.05). On the third and fifth day of the experiment, the moisture of TMR supplemented with 0.15% and 0.3% of sodium dehydroacetate and 0.3% of potassium sorbate was significantly higher than the control group (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference among groups in crude protein and ether extract during the storage period (P＞0.05). These results indicated that sodium dehydroacetate was the best one among mould inhibitors used in this experiment, with potassium sorbate taking second place.

Key words: mould inhibitors; total mixed ration; storage; sodium dehydroacetate; potassium sorbate