Effect of Selected and Beneficial Lactic Acid Bacteria as Inoculants for Corn and Sorghum Silages

The preliminary effect of Lactobacillus fermentum CRL2085, alone or in combination with the homofermentative Pediococcus acidilactici CRL2043 on the fermentation and aerobic stability of corn and sorghum silages, was investigated. To be used as silages inoculants, these lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were screened for fibrolytic, amylolytic and antifungal activities. Laboratory silos were prepared, inoculated at 105 CFU/g and fermented during 45 days 25 ºC. At the end of fermentation, Pediococcus acidilactici-inoculated corn and sorghum silages exhibited the lowest pH and high residual water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC). Forage silages inoculated with Lactobacillus fermentum + Pediococcus acidilactici showed Lower Dry matter (DM) losses and Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) values, while higher residual WSC concentration than Lactobacillus fermentum-inoculated silages, thus silage digestibility must be improved. Yeast activity was impaired in silages inoculated with Lactobacillus fermentum alone or combined with Pediococcus acidilactici and aerobic stability improved. The survival of LAB used as inoculants during fermentation was suggested by PCR. Besides the good performance as silages inoculants, LAB previously selected as having health benefits may be delivered to cattle in feedlot through fermented silage as a vehicle