AUTHOR=Peng Shun , Xie Lingling , Cheng Yuyao , Wang Qiqi , Feng Li , Li Yang , Lei Yonghui , Sun Yanfei 

TITLE=Effect of Lactiplantibacillus and sea buckthorn pomace on the fermentation quality and microbial community of paper mulberry silage

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1412759

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2024.1412759

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Background</title><p>Paper mulberry is a promising alternative fodder source due to its high protein and the abundance of active components. However, paper mulberry often faces susceptibility to contamination during silage fermentation, and there is a need to improve the quality of silage fermentation of paper mulberry through exotic additives. Sea buckthorn pomace (BP) is a feed additive containing antimicrobial and antioxidant substances that help to enhance silage fermentation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of BP and <italic>Lactiplantibacillus</italic> as additives on silage fermentation and bacterial community of paper mulberry.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>The results showed that BP and <italic>Lactiplantibacillus</italic> significantly reduced the pH and ammonium nitrogen content of paper mulberry silage (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05) and significantly increased the content of lactic acid and acetic acid (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05), resulting in more residual water-soluble carbohydrate and crude protein contents and less fiber content relative to the control. The key microorganisms in paper mulberry silage fermentation are <italic>Lactiplantibacillus pentosus</italic> and <italic>Weissella cibaria</italic>. Among these, <italic>Lactiplantibacillus</italic> favored a rapid increase in <italic>Lactiplantibacillus pentosus</italic> abundance during the pre-silage fermentation period, whereas BP favored the promotion of <italic>Lactiplantibacillus pentosus</italic> growth, resulting in higher contents of lactic and acetic acid than those of the control.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusions</title><p>Simultaneously adding <italic>Lactiplantibacillus</italic> and BP can effectively improve the quality of paper mulberry silage and increase the abundance of beneficial microorganisms in paper mulberry silage.</p></sec>