ISOLATION OF ENDOGENOUS LACTIC ACID BACTERIA AND DEVELOPMENT OF SILAGE OF PALM TREES LEAVES FOR LIVESTOCK IN QATAR

Abstract

In Qatar, there are relatively low agricultural by-products available, mainly from palm trees for feeding livestock. Preservation of palm leaves is a problem due to harsh environmental conditions. Ensiling palm leaves with different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was investigated in this study. Firstly, the characterization of palm tree leaves was performed, showing a high fiber content and low content of crude protein. Then, 87 LAB strains adapted to local environmental conditions in Qatar were isolated, identified and differentiated using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS), and the similarities were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and dendrogram. LAB identified were from genus Lactobacillus and Pediococcus. Dairy feed was used to enrich the leaves silage with necessary nutrients. The pH, acidity, and bacterial growth (CFU) of the ensiled palm leaves at different feed/leave ratio were monitored for 7 weeks. The strain Lactobacillus paracasei SMZ20 and Pediococcus acidilactici SMZ41 were the most adapted to the medium and the weather conditions. Lactobacillus paracasei and Pediococcus acidilactici were found to be dominating their respectively inoculated silages. The lowcost media formulation to produce LAB was investigated using a factorial plan. The low-cost media with 5% feed mixed in water at low aeration had the most promising results in terms of CFU. This study demonstrated that the palm tree leaves can be ensiled and preserved for a longer period with mixing it with commercial feed and inoculating with local LAB.