Biopreservative potential of Lactobacillus plantarum YML007 and efficacy as a replacement for chemical preservatives in animal feed

Antifungal and biopreservation potentials of Lactobacillus plantarum YML007 isolated from Korean kimchi were analyzed. The biopreservative efficacy of the bacterium was analyzed using maize grains. Maize was divided into 3 groups and treated with a 5x concentrated cell-free supernatant of Lb. plantarum YML007 (T3R3), organic acids (T2R2), and a control group (T1R1) lacking treatment. All groups were stored for 30 days. Maize was tested for moisture and crude fat contents, mold growth, and aflatoxin production. The moisture content, mold count, and toxin production were higher in the control maize. The YML007 and acid treated maize remained uninfected after 30 days. Animals fed with YML007 treated maize showed more weight gain and less feed consumption. YML007 can be used to preserve the nutritional value of stored grain and to ensure better quality feedstuffs that are necessary for improving animal health and performance.