Aims: Characteristics of a strain Pediococcus pentosaceus Q6 isolated from Elymus nutans growing on the Tibetan plateau and its effects on E. nutans silage fermentation stored at low temperature were investigated.
Methods and results: Sugar fermentation pattern and growth profiles of the strain Q6 and its reference strain APP were characterized. The strain Q6 and APP were inoculated to E. nutans at ensiling respectively; and ensiled at different temperatures (10, 15 and 25°C) for 30, 60 and 90 days. The results indicated that Q6 could grow at pH 3·0 and at 4°C. In contrast to APP, Q6 could ferment mannitol, saccharose, sorbitol and rhamnose. Lower pH in Q6-treated silages fermented for 60 days at 10 and 15°C was found compared with the control and APP-treated groups. For the silages that were stored at 10 or 15°C, the greatest lactic acid content were detected in Q6-inoculated silages ensiled for 30 and 60 days respectively. There were no differences in pH and lactic acid content between Q6- and APP-treated silages ensiled at 10 and 15°C for 90 days respectively.
Conclusions: Inoculation of the strain P. pentosaceus Q6 could improve fermentation quality of ensiled E. nutans at the early stage of ensiling stored at low temperature (10 or 15°C).
Significance and impact of the study: The selection of P. pentosaceus inoculants for improving silage quality at low temperature, which provides a candidate strain to make high-quality silage in regions with frigid climate.
Keywords: Elymus nutans; Pediococcus pentosaceus; fermentation; low temperature; silage.
© 2018 The Society for Applied Microbiology.