Isolation and Identification of Lactic Acid Bacteria Strains and Their Effects on the Fermentation Quality of Elephant Grass (\u3ci\u3eCenchrus purpureus\u3c/i\u3e) Silage

This study aims to isolate and identify lactic acid bacteria and examine their effects on the fermentation quality of elephant grass silage. The isolated strains were identified based on morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics as well as 16S rRNA analysis. Three strains namely Pediococcus acidilactic (AZZ5), Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. Plantarum (AZZ4), Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. Argentoratensis (AZZ6) were isolated from elephant grass silage. Isolation of the microbes was done by serial dilution method. Three LAB and one commercial bacteria Lactobacillus Plantarum, Ecosyl MTD/1(CB)) were used as additives to fresh material of elephant grass. To follow the fermentation quality during ensiling, samples were taken on days 30, 60 and 90 of ensiling for chemical analysis. The strain AZZ5 was identified as Pediococcus genus while AZZ4 and AZZ6 were Lactobacillus genus. Compared to the control, all the isolates improved the silage quality of elephant grass silage. In conclusion, AZZ4 performed better among all inoculants