Corn Stover Silage Inoculated with Ferulic Acid Esterase Producing <i>L. johnsonii</i>, <i>L. plantarum, L. fermentum,</i> and <i>L. brevis</i> Strains: Fermentative and Nutritional Parameters

Corn stover (CS) is an abundant lignocellulosic by-product of the grain industry. Ferulic acid esterase producing (FAE+)-lactobacilli can potentially improve ensiled forages’ nutritive value through the hydrolysis of ferulic acid ester bonds present in cell walls during the fermentation process, but this has not been addressed in CS silage. In this study, we characterized 8 FAE+ lactobacilli regarding their FAE activity and inoculant aptitude: <i>Lactobacillus (L.) johnsonii</i> (CRL2237, CRL2238, CRL2240), <i>L. plantarum</i> (ETC182, CRL046, CRL2241), <i>L. fermentum</i> CRL1446 and <i>L. brevis</i> CRL2239. Next, 25% dry matter (DM) CS mini silos were prepared and either not inoculated (UN) or inoculated with each strain (10⁵ CFU g fresh matter⁻¹). Compared to UN, DM loss was significantly reduced in CRL046 and CRL2239, and organic matter increased in CRL2241-inoculated silages. Although the rest of the digestibility measures were not improved, in situ acid detergent fiber degradability (ADFD) was increased by the CRL2238 strain when compared to UN. Results in inoculated silages were not correlated with FAE activity quantification or growth/acidification studies in a CS-derived culture broth. This study demonstrates the potential of several FAE+ lactobacilli strains as CS inoculants and encourages further research.