title: Application of plant-based antimicrobials for the growth inhibition of clostridia in pressed beet pulp silage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study the inhibition of hop beta acids on the growth of clostridia in soil-contaminated pressed sugar beet pulp silages was investigated. Hop beta acids are natural substances which display their effect at low concentrations. Fresh pressed beet pulp material was mixed with soil to artificially contaminate it with clostridia. Laboratory silos were filled with the substrate, stored at 25 °C and opened for sampling at 0, 2, 8, 15, 30, 60, and 90 days. The impact on clostridial growth during silage fermentation was monitored by determination of the pH value and dry matter content, as well as chemical analysis of the fermentation products. Throughout the experiments, the effect of a commercial silage inoculant based on lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and hop-resistant LAB were examined with and without the combination of plant-based antimicrobials.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicate that in contaminated silage samples without any additives high butyric acid contents occurred due to clostridial growth. This spoilage could not be suppressed by the application of LAB, whereas the combined application of LAB and hop beta acids significantly improved silage quality, which was reflected by favourable organic acid composition (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The experimental data indicate that the application of hop beta acids improves the preservation effect of LAB in suppressing clostridial growth in silages and thus demonstrates some potential for the combined use of plant-based antimicrobials and LAB.
authors.affiliation: Zuckerforschung Tulln GmbH, Tulln, Austria. florian.emerstorfer@zuckerforschung.at
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Emerstorfer
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hein
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Resch
authors.forename: Erich M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Poetsch
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Zitz
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kneifel
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000898:Antibiosis / Q000187:drug effects; D027461:Beta vulgaris / Q000382:microbiology*; D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D003013:Clostridium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005285:Fermentation; D005519:Food Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D005525:Food-Processing Industry / Q000191:economics; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D027582:Humulus / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis / Q000191:economics; D056546:Lactobacillales / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000382:microbiology*; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D012820:Silage / Q000032:analysis / Q000382:microbiology*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013729:Terpenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D007220:Industrial Waste; D012116:Resins, Plant; D013729:Terpenes; C008299:lupulon