Table 1 Chemical composition and microbial population of fresh sugarcane top prior to ensiling (± SD, n = 3)

Dry matter (g/kg FM)

337 ± 6.3

Crude protein (g/kg DM)

71.6 ± 1.50

True protein (g/kg TN)

899 ± 24.9

Non-protein nitrogen (g/kg TN)

101 ± 24.9

Neutral detergent fiber (g/kg DM)

745 ± 7.44

Acid detergent fiber (g/kg DM)

396 ± 6.03

Water-soluble carbohydrate (g/kg DM)

55.2 ± 2.98

Lactic acid bacteria (Log₁₀ CFU/g FM)

5.66 ± 0.33

Yeasts (Log₁₀ CFU/g FM)

5.02 ± 0.06

Molds (Log₁₀ CFU/g FM)

 < 3.00

Coliform bacteria (Log₁₀ CFU/g FM)

 < 4.00