Characterization and identification of Pediococcus species isolated from forage crops and their application for silage preparation

Pediococcus species isolated from forage crops were characterized, and thei r application to silage preparation was studied. Most isolates were distrib uted on forage crops at low frequency. These isolates could be divided into three (A, B, and C) groups by their sugar fermentation patterns. Strains L A 3, LA 35, and LS 5 are representative isolates from groups A, B, and C, r espectively. Strains LA 3 and LA 35 had intragroup DNA homology values abov e 93.6%, shelving that they belong to the species Pediococcus acidilactici. Strain LS 5 belonged to Pediococcus pentosaceus on the basis of DNA-DNA re latedness. All three of these strains and strain SL 1 (Lactobacillus casei, isolated from a commercial inoculant) were used as additives to alfalfa an d Italian ryegrass silage preparation at two temperatures (25 and 48 degree s C). When stored at 25 degrees C, all of the inoculated silages were well preserved and exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) reduced fermentation losse s compared to that of their control in alfalfa and Italian ryegrass silages . When stored at 48 degrees C, silages inoculated with strains LA 3 and LA 35 were also well preserved, with a significantly (P < 0.05) lower pH, buty ric acid and ammonia-nitrogen content, gas production, and dry matter loss and significantly (P < 0.05) higher lactate content than the control, but s ilages inoculated with LS 5 and SL 1 were of poor quality. P. acidilactici LA 3 and LA 35 are considered suitable as potential silage inoculants.