Improving Fodder Quality with Specific Bacteria Inoculation

Jenn Hoskins
9th May, 2024

Improving Fodder Quality with Specific Bacteria Inoculation

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • In Inner Mongolia, a study found a plant, Caragana korshinskii, can be a good livestock feed
  • Adding specific bacteria from the plant itself improved the plant's fermentation for feed use
  • This fermentation process led to better nutritional value and digestibility of the plant as feed
In many regions across the globe, the scarcity of feed has become a significant bottleneck in livestock farming. The quest for sustainable and cost-effective feed alternatives has led scientists to explore non-conventional forages. A promising candidate is Caragana korshinskii, a hardy plant that thrives in arid conditions and offers a high protein content, making it an ideal feedstock[2]. However, the challenge lies in preserving its nutritional value through effective fermentation, a process that can be enhanced by the use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Researchers at Inner Mongolia Agricultural University have conducted a groundbreaking study[1] focusing on the use of LAB isolated from Caragana korshinskii itself to improve the fermentation quality of its silage. The study employed Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT) sequencing and metabolomics analysis to investigate the impact of these LAB on the microbial community structure and metabolic pathways during a 60-day fermentation period. The study revealed a significant shift in the microbial population of the silage from harmful bacteria towards beneficial LAB after the 60-day ensiling period. The isolated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, in particular, stood out for its ability to simplify the species composition of LAB in the silage and to dominate the microbial environment. This led to a decrease in microbial diversity, which is a desirable outcome in silage fermentation. The presence of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum was found to actively suppress the Butanoate metabolism and the Pentose phosphate pathway, which are associated with undesirable by-products in silage. Instead, it enhanced the Ascorbate and aldarate metabolism pathway, resulting in a lower pH and higher levels of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and lactic acid (LA). These changes contributed to a reduction in neutral detergent fiber content (NDF) and an improvement in in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility (IVNDFD), thereby boosting the overall quality of the Caragana korshinskii silage. In contrast, another isolated LAB, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, did not exhibit the same positive effects and was less effective than commercial LAB inoculants. This highlights the importance of selecting the right LAB strains for silage fermentation. The findings of this study resonate with previous research on the selection of specific LAB strains to improve silage quality. For instance, studies on sugar cane silage have shown that certain strains of LAB can lead to lower dry matter loss and better fermentation characteristics[3]. Similarly, the characterization of LAB strains from forage crops confirmed that some strains can enhance silage fermentation and storage, while others may not be beneficial[4]. The application of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum isolated from Caragana korshinskii not only represents a tailored approach to improving the silage of this particular forage but also underscores the broader potential of using native LAB strains to enhance the fermentation process. This could have a significant impact on the development of sustainable feed solutions for livestock, particularly in areas where feed resources are limited. In conclusion, the study from Inner Mongolia Agricultural University has provided valuable insights into the optimization of Caragana korshinskii silage through the use of native LAB. By regulating metabolic pathways and microbial composition, the isolated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum has proven to be a superior choice for enhancing the nutritional value and digestibility of this non-conventional forage, offering a sustainable solution to feed shortages in the livestock industry.

AgricultureBiotechPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Effect isolated lactic acid bacteria inoculation on the quality, bacterial composition and metabolic characterization of Caragana korshinskii silage

Published 8th May, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-024-00591-z

Related Studies

2) Functional properties of protein isolates from Caragana korshinskii Kom. extracted by three different methods.

https://doi.org/10.1021/jf303442u

3) The use of Lactobacillus species as starter cultures for enhancing the quality of sugar cane silage.

https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2013-6987

4) Influence of lactobacillus spp. from An inoculant and of weissella and leuconostoc spp. from forage crops on silage fermentation.

Journal: Applied and environmental microbiology, Issue: Vol 64, Issue 8, Aug 1998


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