Aims: To evaluate the capacity of Lactobacillus hilgardii and Lactobacillus buchneri on modifying the bacterial community and improving fermentation and aerobic stability of high-moisture corn (HMC).
Methods and results: High-moisture corn was untreated (CTR), treated with L. hilgardii (LH) or L. buchneri (LB) at 600 000 CFU per gram fresh weight, or with L. hilgardii and L. buchneri at 300 000 CFU per gram fresh weight each (LHLB), and stored for 10, 30 or 92 days. Compared to CTR, inoculated silages had higher Lactobacillaceae relative abundance, lower yeasts numbers and higher aerobic stability. Treatment with LHLB resulted in a higher acetic acid concentration than LH and higher 1,2 propanediol concentration than LB, such differences were numerically greater at 10 and 30 days but statistically greater at 92 days. At 10 days, all inoculated silages were more stable than CTR, but LHLB was even more stable than LB or LH.
Conclusions: The combination of L. hilgardii and L. buchneri had a synergistic effect on yeast inhibition, leading to greater improvements in aerobic stability as early as 10 days after ensiling.
Significance and impact of the study: Lactobacillus hilgardii, especially in combination with L. buchneri, can improve the aerobic stability of HMC after a very short period of ensiling.
Keywords: Lactobacillus buchneri; Lactobacillus hilgardii; high-moisture corn; inoculant; silage.
© 2020 Society for Applied Microbiology.