| Abstract: | ![]()
Enterococcus faecalis CA 6, E faecium CA 10, E casseliflavus CA 13, Weissella paramesenteroides CA 14, Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides CA 17, Pediococcus pentosaceus CA 21, P acidilactici CA 25 and Lactobacilus plantarum CA 28 isolated from forage crops were characterised and their effects on silage fermentation were studied. Strains CA 6, CA 10 and CA 13 grew only at relatively high pH (above 5.0), while strains CA 21, CA 25 and CA 28 were able to grow at pH values below 4.0. Strain CA 25 grew at 50 °C, but the others did not grow at above 45 °C. These strains were used as inoculants for perennial ryegrass silage ensiled at 25 or 45 °C. At 25 °C all strains significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the pH value and butyric acid content and greatly increased the lactic acid content compared with the control, particularly strains CA 21, CA 25 and CA 28. At 45 °C strain CA 25 markedly improved the fermentation quality of silage, but the others did not. These silages had a lower lactic acid content and a higher proportion of L (+)‐ to total lactic acid than equivalent silages kept at 25 °C. The results confirmed that at 25 °C P pentosaceus CA 21, P acidilactici CA 25 and L plantarum CA 28 were the most effective, whereas at 45 °C only P acidilactici CA 25 had a beneficial effect on silage fermentation quality. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry |
