The purpose of this study was to identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from elephant grass silage throughout the fermentation process and investigate their effect on improving quality of sweet sorghum silage. The isolates were identified based on morphological, physiological, and biochemical features, as well as 16S rRNA profiling. A total of 120 lactic acid bacteria were isolates from elephant silage seven strains were purified and idntified three strains (Pediococcus acidilactici (AZZ1), Lactobacillus plant arum subsp. plantarum (AZZ4), L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis (AZZ7) and one commercial bacteria L. plantarum, ecosyl MTD/1(CB)) were chosen as additives at 6 log colony forming units per gram of fresh sweet sorghum grass in laboratory silos (1000 g). Silos for each treatment were opened after 30, 60, and 90 days. All isolates were Gram-positive, catalase-negative, and grew properly in 65% sodium chloride. The strains AZZ1, AZZ2, and AZZ5 were classified as the Pediococcus genus, while AZZ3, AZZ4, AZZ6, and AZZ7 were Lactobacillus genus. Compared to the control, all the isolates enhanced the silage quality of sweet sorghum silage, evidenced by significantly (P < 005) decreasing pH, ammonia-nitrogen contents, undesirable microbe counts, and greater lactic acid (LA) contents. During ensiling, AZZ4 performed better among all inoculants, indicated by significantly (P < 005) lowered pH and ammonia-N contents and increased LA contents. In conclusion, strain AZZ4 is recommended as starter culture for tropical and subtropical grasses.
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