Yeasts in ensiled high-moisture corn

Abstract

A total of 1,365 yeasts were selected from ensiled high-moisture corn at various stages in the ensiling process to determine the sequence and relative numbers of yeast species. The yeast species most frequently isolated from freshly harvested corn were Candida parapsilosis and C. intermedia; these two species were isolated infrequently after the third week of storage. Species of yeasts that predominate after the 12th day of storage were Hansenula anomala (66% of the isolates studied) and C. krusei (26% of the isolates studied). The preponderance of H. anomala and C. krusei in ensiled corn is believed to be associated with the ability of these two species to assimilate lactic acid.