Effect of co-inoculation of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lentilactobacillus buchneri on aerobic stability and microbial community composition of perennial sorghum silage

Abstract

In the present study, the aerobic stability of perennial sorghum (Sorghum bicolor × Sorghum propinquum) silage following exposure to air was evaluated, which was pretreated with either Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L group) or Lactiplantibacillus plantarum + Lentilactobacillus buchneri (M group). Samples from the M group had lower dry matter loss rates and higher acetic acid content after exposure to air. Furthermore, samples from the M group showed high levels of water-soluble carbohydrates (2.79–6.55% in dry matter) and crude protein (3.82–9.02% in dry matter) after exposure to air. Moreover, M pretreatment led to the inhibition of the growth of Debaryomyces hansenii whereas it promoted the growth of Levilactobacillus and Clavispora sp. Overall, M pretreatment of perennial sorghum during storage hindered aerobic deterioration and promoted the formation of total fermentation products that act as precursors for biogas production.