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The value of plasmid profiling in monitoringLactobacillus plantarum in silage fermentations

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Abstract

Two strains ofLactobacillus plantarum were used to inoculate chopped, whole plant corn in a model ensiling system. At specific intervals up to 32 days, pH values and populations of lactic acid bacteria were determined for both uninoculated and inoculated forages in 15-kg minisilos. At all times after the second day, the inoculated forage had lower pH values and higher levels of homofermentative lactobacilli than the uninoculated material. Plasmid profiling indicated that this shift was due to the added strains ofL. plantarum. This study demonstrates that plasmids of naturally occurringLactobacillus plantarum strains are stable during the ensiling process and hence can be used to monitor the succession of introduced organisms at the expense of epiphytic populations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbial Genetics Division, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., PO Box 38, 50131, Johnston, Iowa, USA

    Hanna Avni Hill & John Elliott Hill

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  1. Hanna Avni Hill
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  2. John Elliott Hill
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Hill, H.A., Hill, J.E. The value of plasmid profiling in monitoringLactobacillus plantarum in silage fermentations. Current Microbiology 13, 91–94 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01568288

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01568288

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