Characterization and Identification of Lactic Acid Bacteria by 16S rRNA Gene Sequence and Their Effect on the Fermentation Quality of Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) Silage.

The purpose of this study is to isolate and identify lactic acid bacteria from elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) silage and examine their effect on the silage fermentation quality. Three of lactic acid bacteria strains were isolated from elephant silage and their characterization, identification, and influence on silage quality after 90 d of ensiling was studied. All three strains were Gram-positive, catalase-negative, and were grown in 6.5% NaCl and pH 4.00. Strains AZZ1, was identified as for genus pediococcus, whereas, AZZ4 and AZZ7 strains were classified as genus Lactobacillus according to the phenotype, 16S rRNA, and RecA gene analysis. Three strains were used as additives at 1.0×106 CFU/g of fresh material of elephant grass. Strain AZZ4 is found to be the most effective in improving the fermentation quality of the elephant grass silage, as indicated by a lower (P<0.0001) dry matter losses, pH value, water-soluble carbohydrates, acetic acid content, butyric acid, propionic acid and ammonia-N. However, the lactic acid content was higher (P<0.0001) compared to the control and other treatments. In conclusion, these results suggest that, for well-preserved silage, the isolates may be useful as inoculants for silage making, and could play a major role in developing silage production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]