Scientific opinion on the efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum (ATCC 55058 and ATCC 55942) and Pediococcus acidilactici (CNCM I-3237) as silage additives for all animal species

In 2010 the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) issued an opinion on the safety and efficacy of 18 strains of Lactobacillus plantarum and of six strains of Pediococcus spp. when used as feed additives for the production of silage. In those instances, however, due to limited and/or inconsistent evidence, the Panel was unable to draw conclusions on the efficacy of two strains of L. plantarum and one strain of Pediococcus acidilactici. The applicants have provided complementary information on the efficacy of these strains which is the subject of the current opinion. Three new studies were performed with each of the three strains under assessment. These involved laboratory-scale silos and samples of forage of differing water-soluble carbohydrate content. Replicate silos containing treated forage were compared to identical silos containing the same but untreated forage. Given the magnitude of the responses recorded and the absence of any substantive evidence of nutrient preservation, the data for the two L. plantarum strains, taken overall, provide little evidence of a benefit when used in the production of silage. The P. acidilactici strain has the potential to improve the production of silage from easy, moderately difficult and difficult to ensile material by reducing the pH and increasing the preservation of dry matter at a minimum dose of 5 × 10⁷ CFU/kg forage.