Rapid acting lactobacillus strains and their use to improve aerobic stability of silage

Abstract

A method for treating silage to enhance the aerobic stability by increasing the fermentation and stabilization of silage by inhibiting growth of microorganisms selected from yeasts, molds and spore-forming bacteria and permitting earlier aerobic exposure is disclosed. The method comprises treating silage or feed with a composition comprising Lactobacillus buchneri strain LN7125, or Lactobacillus brevis strain LB5328, or Lactobacillus brevis strain LB7123, and mixtures or a mutant thereof which retains the silage preservative activity of LN7125, LB5328, or LB7123, or the antimicrobial components produced thereby. The strains of Lactobacillus buchneri and Lactobacillus brevis disclosed in the invention have been purified and isolated and have been found to improve aerobic stability of silage allowing earlier aerobic exposure post ensiling than is presently practiced

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 200,231, filed Mar. 7, 2014, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to compositions and methods of treating animal feed and preserving silage to enhance aerobic stability.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The ensiling process is a method of moist forage preservation and is used worldwide. Silage accounts for more than 200 million tons of dry matter stored annually in Western Europe and the United States alone. The process involves natural fermentation, where lactic acid bacteria ferment water soluble carbohydrates to form organic acids under anaerobic conditions. This causes a decrease in pH which then inhibits detrimental microbes so that the moist forage is preserved.[0004]Aerobic instability is the primary problem in silage production. Traditionally, the recommendation has been to allo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]Embodiments of the invention include compositions for use as silage inoculants comprising silage quality preserving amounts of heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria species and mixtures or a mutant thereof, and a suitable carrier. The heterofermentive lactic acid bacteria compositions, isolated and purified, improve the aerobic stability of ensiled forage, increasing the fermentation and stabilization of silage to permit earlier aerobic exposure. Such compositions may include, but are not limited to, Lactobacillus buchneri strain LN7125 (hereafter LN7125), having Patent Deposit No. NRRL B-50733, or Lactobacillus brevis strain LB5328 (hereafter LB5328), having Patent Deposit No. NRRL B-50731, or Lactobacillus brevis strain LB7123 (hereafter LB7123), having Patent Deposit No. NRRL B-50732, and mixtures or a mutant thereof which retains the silage preservative activity of LN7125, LB5328, or LB7123, and carrier. Such compositions may comprise about 101 to about 1011 viable organisms per gram wet weight of silage optionally about 102 to about 107 viable organisms per gram wet weight of silage, for example about 103 to about 106 viable organisms per gram wet weight of silage. The carrier in the compositions of the embodiments may be a liquid or a solid, such as, but not limited to, calcium carbonate, starch, and cellulose.

Problems solved by technology

Aerobic instability is the primary problem in silage production.

Even before storage units are open for feedout, silage can be exposed to oxygen because of management problems (i.e., poor packing or sealing).

Under these types of aerobic conditions, rapid growth of yeast and mold cause silages to heat and spoil, decreasing its nutritional value.

Feeding a crop that has not been properly fermented can lower dry matter intake (DMI), decrease milk production, and cause digestive upsets.

Aerobic instability can be a problem even in inoculated silage that has undergone what would traditionally be considered a “good” fermentation: a rapid pH drop, and a low terminal pH.

Production of silage inoculant strains and the ensiling process is complex and involves interactions of numerous chemical and microbiological processes.