Cepa epifítica de Lentilactobacillus farraginis em cultura única ou co-cultura na ensilagem de planta inteira de milho

Abstract

Whole-plant corn silage is a strategy for preserving this food. The application of inoculants to silage can significantly improve the fermentation process, accelerating the drop in pH and inhibiting the growth of undesirable microorganisms. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two commercial inoculants and an epiphytic strain on whole-plant corn silage after 14 and 60 days of storage. Forty experimental silos were used, with four replicates for each treatment: control (CTR) without inoculant; commercial inoculant 1 (IC1) 8 log CFU/g; commercial inoculant 2 (IC2) 8 log CFU/g; Lentilactobacillus farraginis (LF) 10 log CFU/g; and IC1+LF 9 log CFU/g. After 14 and 60 days of storage, the silages were sampled and analyzed for microbiological, chemical, and aerobic stability parameters. The results indicated that the pH did not differ significantly between treatments (average of 3.78), remaining within the ideal range for storage. DM loss was lower in the LF and IC1+LF treatments, while NDF decreased over time, except in IC1+LF. The LAB population was higher in LF and IC1+LF, especially after 60 days, while the yeast count decreased significantly in these treatments. After 60 days of storage, acetic acid and 1,2-propanediol production were higher in LF and IC1+LF; these treatments also showed greater aerobic stability (168 hours in IC1+LF). The IC1+LF treatment also had a lower maximum temperature during air exposure, indicating less spoilage microbial activity. It is concluded that the combination of the commercial inoculant with L. farraginis (IC1+LF) was the most effective in improving the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of the silage, notably producing metabolites that inhibit undesirable microorganisms and preserving nutrients. These results reinforce the potential of heterofermentative strains, such as L. farraginis, in the development of silage inoculants.