Screening of Lactobacillus plantarum Strains for Ensiling

Eleven strains of Lactobacillus plantarum have been evaluated for their growth rate and ability to reduce pH during corn ensiling. Ensiling was carried out in small scale using plastic bag for 14 days. Soluble carbohydrate consumption, organic acids production and pH reduction were measured during fermentation. The growth rate of each strain was also determined in liquid medium. All of the 11 strains of L. plantarum tested were able to improve the ensiling process. However, strains T-16, T-25 and S-98 grew in liquid medium faster than the others, and were able to reduce pH of silage quicker than the other strains. The pH of silage inoculated with strain T-16, T-25 and S-98 decreased from about 5.60 to 4.23, 4.45 and 4.40, respectively, in two days, and to 3.98, 4.05 and 4.03, respectively, after 14 days fermentation. The acetic acid content of silages inoculated with those strains was low. Strains T-16 and T-25 were suitable as potential silage inoculants and their characteristics were comparable to the one isolated from a commercial silage inoculant.