Effect of Sucrose and Lactic Acid Bacteria Additives on Fermentation Quality, Chemical Composition and Protein Fractions of Two Typical Woody Forage Silages

Xuekai Wang,Yixiao Xie,Yingchao Zhang,Yanli Lin,Han Liu,Xueping Yang,Yulong Zheng,Kuikui Ni,Ningwei Wang,Fuyu Yang

doi:10.3390/agriculture11030256

Abstract

Paper mulberry (PM) and mulberry (MU) have been considered potential substitutes for traditional forages in response to the increasing demand for high-protein feed for livestock. To improve the utility of these two typical woody forages, our study investigated the effects of sucrose and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) additives on the fermentation quality, nutritive value, and protein fractions of their leaf silages. Collected leaves were separately subjected to ensiling treatments, either with or without sucrose (S), in combination with Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), or Lactobacillus casei (LC). The silage was sampled and analyzed for fermentation parameters, carbohydrates, and protein fractions after ensiling for 60 days. The pH value of paper mulberry silages with S was 19% lower than that without S, while LAB-treated mulberry silages showed decreased ammonia nitrogen (by 71%) and fraction A in crude protein (by 15%) compared with no LAB additives. In summary, adding S improved the fermentation quality, with no positive effect on protein fractions, in PM silage, whereas LAB additives improved the potential utilization of protein in MU silage.

Highlights

A regional lack of green high-protein forage resources is a key reason to develop animal husbandry in the equatorial region
The Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) and Lactobacillus casei (LC) strains were isolated and purified from silages studied earlier, and the additives for silage preparation were made via lyophilization according to the reported procedures [11]
After mixing the ingredients thoroughly, four replicates of 200 g of each treated batch were packed into laboratory polyethylene bags (18 cm × 26 cm) and sealed with a vacuum sealing machine at a density of approximately 642 kg fresh weight (FW)/m3 (DZ-280/2SE, Furuide Machinery Co., Ltd., Shandong, China)

Summary

Introduction

A regional lack of green high-protein forage resources is a key reason to develop animal husbandry in the equatorial region. This shortage is caused by climatic and environmental factors [1,2]. There are two typical woody forages with potential development value: paper mulberry (PM, Broussonetia papyrifera L.) and mulberry (MU, Morus alba L.), of which preliminary utilization by livestock has been reported. Both PM and MU are multipurpose trees, belonging to two genera of Moraceae.

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Discussion

Conclusion