Feruloyl esterase-producing lactobacillus screening and its synergistic effect with homolactic and heterolactic...

This study investigated the synergistic effects of combining ferulic acid esterase (FAE)-producing lactobacillus with homofermentative and heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the fermentation quality, nutrient composition, and aerobic stability of corn stover silage.

In this study, five LAB strains were isolated and identified from various silages. Among them, strain AR1 was identified as Lactiplantibacillus pentosus and exhibited high FAE activity. The homofermentative strains R10, JF1, and JF2 were identified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Pediococcus acidilactici, and Pediococcus pentosaceus, respectively. The heterofermentative strain R3 was Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides. A total of 11 treatment groups were designed in triplicate, including a control group (CK), a commercial inoculant group (JCK), and nine LAB treatments at three concentrations (1 × 10⁶, 1 × 10⁷, 1 × 10⁸ CFU/g FW). The groups were AR1-only (R), a homofermentative-heterofermentative combination (LPL), and a homofermentative-heterofermentative combination with AR1 (LPLR).

The results showed that the co-fermentation of homofermentative and heterofermentative strains improved silage fermentation quality. The addition of AR1 to the combination of homofermentative and heterofermentative LAB further enhanced lactic acid and acetic acid production, decreased neutral and acid detergent fiber contents, and improved aerobic stability. Principal component analysis and membership function analysis identified the LPLR group (an equal mixture of AR1, R10, JF2, and R3 at 1 × 10⁷ CFU/g fresh weight) as the optimal formula, achieving the highest comprehensive score of 0.696. Discussion: This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of silage additives.