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Commercial Success of ECLAIR Programme
AGRE-0041: Development of biological silage additives |
AGRE-0041: Development of biological silage additives
Science Background
Changes have occurred in the way animals are fed, as well as in the way in which forage is preserved for animal feed. Highly nutritious feeds may be obtained by ensiling green material, rather than sun-drying to produce hay. In the ensiling process, lactic acid producing bacteria lower the pH, effectively pickling the protein and preventing growth of deleterious organisms. However, uncontrolled fermentation resulting from microorganisms naturally present on the plants when harvested can result in poor preservation and/or generation of volatile fatty acids other than lactic acid (butyric acid for example), producing unpalatable feed. Good preservation requires rapid drop in pH and consumption of oxygen within the silo or clamp. This in turn can depend on the availability of fermentable sugars. These problems can be avoided by adding enzymes to release fermentable sugars from structural or reserve polysaccharides, as well as adding cultures of lactic acid bacteria capable of rapid proliferation and able to dominate the natural flora.
Objectives
The main objectives were to develop enzymes and strains of lactic acid bacteria for use as silage additives, through a combination of microbiological, genetic and biochemical methods. These were then to be tested in producing silage from both purpose grown crops (grass, alfalfa) and by-products (beet pulp, vegetable processing residues). Genetic engineering methods were to be used to improve the performance of the bacteria, by enhancing the rate of lactic acid production, by altering the level of lactate dehydrogenases (LDHs). Potential additives were to be prepared using freeze drying, as used for other additives on the market. These were to be tested in farm scale systems (plastic bags or concrete silos) and their nutritive value determined in animal (dairy cows and finishing steers) feeding trials.
Significant changes and results since end of ECLAIR
During the course of the project it was established that addition of enzymes capable of hydrolysing various carbohydrates (cellulose, hemicellulose, fructans) present in the forage, was not cost effective. Rather than stimulate lactic acid production, additions under the conditions used sometimes increased silage effluent while decreasing dry matter content. This work was thus discontinued. By the end of the project a large collection of bacterial strains had been collected from crops and residues and screened for rates of proliferation and lactic acid production. Two strains of Lactobacillus plantarum (DCU101 and B41) and one strain of Pediococcus acidilacti (G24) were selected for further investigation. Genetic engineering experiments to modify levels of LDH had been carried out. However, the desired impact on lactic acid production was not obtained. The selected strains, in their natural form, were thus used in the farm-scale trials, which were completed using alfalfa or grass, ensiled and fed to dairy cows or steers. Slight beneficial effects were recorded.
Results
At end of this ECLAIR project
New strains (as detailed above) were available to Texel, the industrial partner, and it was reported that these strains were to be used in test markets in the UK and Ireland.
Current position
The original commercial partner was Lacto-Labo, part of the Rhone-Poulenc Group. It has since evolved to become Rhodia-Texel, at the same address, with an emphasis on microorganisms used in the food sector (meat and milk processing). This company has other silage additives in the market place (e.g. Bactensil 2000, a formulation of Lactobacillus casei, L. plantarum, Pediococcus pentocaceus, hemicellulases and cellulases) and decided that the characteristics of the new strains did not justify the cost of developing them further. The company now concentrates on microorganisms for the food sector (dairy and meat), but still produces Bactensil.
Impact
Commercial
The silage additive market is highly competitive, with many established players, selling various species and strains of bacteria, including material formulated with enzymes, or as higher viability ‘live’ cultures, rather than freeze dried preparations. In addition a wide range of other forage preservatives (organic acids, ammonia, etc) are marketed. For example the 1999 list of products included in the Additive Approval Scheme of UKASTA (the United Kingdom Agricultural Supply Trade Association Ltd - right), lists over 70 inoculants as well as around 15 other (chemical) additives, produced and/or marketed by around 60 companies. This list includes the Texel product (Bactensil), marketed by Rumenco, an established animal feed company.
Associated
The other partners regard development and commercialization as the responsibility of the commercial partner and thus have not researched this area of activity further.
Further information
The main European suppliers of silage additives are recorded under the UK Additive Approval Scheme, as detailed above, contact:
Derek Ward, Manager Plant Health, UKASTA, 3 Whitehall Court, London SW1A
2EQ, UK
Tel: +44 20 7930 3611 Fax: +44 20 7930 3952.
Contacts
Author
Rhodia-Texel
Rumenco
Uni Catholique Louvain
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Updated
by CPL Press:
03/07/2007
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