ENHANCING THE BIOGAS PRODUCTION POTENTIAL OF MAIZE GREEN MASS ENSILED WITH A LACTIC ACID BACTERIAL COMPOSITION Lukianets Alla, Danylenko Svitlana

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ISSN 2410-7751 (Print)
ISSN 2410-776X (Online)

cover biotech acta general

Biotechnologia Acta Т. 19, No. 2, 2026
P. 54-63 , Bibliography 50, Engl.
UDC: 636.085.522.55; 662.767.2.
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ENHANCING THE BIOGAS PRODUCTION POTENTIAL OF MAIZE GREEN MASS ENSILED WITH A LACTIC ACID BACTERIAL COMPOSITION

Lukianets Alla, Danylenko Svitlana

Institute of Food Resources of the NAAS, Kyiv

Aim. To determine the effect of an inoculant composed of Lentilactobacillus buchneri, Levilactobacillus brevis, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains on the fermentation characteristics of maize silage, as well as to assess its methane potential under standard anaerobic digestion conditions.

Methods. The fermentation properties of the silage were evaluated using standard analytical methods for determining pH, dry matter, and key organic acids. Microbiological analysis was performed using quantitative plating on selective media to determine the counts of lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, molds, and clostridial microorganisms. The biogas potential was assessed after anaerobic digestion using activated sludge as the inoculum; the biogas volume and methane content were measured with a Bosean K-600 gas analyzer.

Results. The use of the inoculant promoted more intensive lactic fermentation, as evidenced by a lower pH (3.78 vs. 4.15 in the control), a higher proportion of lactic acid (79.6% vs. 61.6%), and a lower proportion of acetic acid (24.2% vs. 36.9%). Butyric acid was not detected in either variant. The number of lactic acid bacteria exceeded spoilage microflora by almost fourfold, while no butyric acid-producing bacteria were registered. The application of L. buchneri and L. brevis contributed to the formation of acetic and propionic acids, thereby improving the aerobic stability of the silage after ensiling and during transfer of the ensiled biomass to anaerobic digestion. The experimental sample showed a reduction in yeast and mould counts (7.2×103 CFU/g vs. 3.5×104 CFU/g in the control). Methane fermentation demonstrated increased methane yield due to the higher lactic acid content in the biomass ensiled with the proposed starter composition, the improved buffering capacity of the mixture, and reduced dry matter losses.

Conclusions. Inoculating maize silage with Lentilactobacillus buchneri, Levilactobacillus brevis, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains provides improved conditions for lactic fermentation of the ensiled maize mixture, enhances its organic acid profile, increases aerobic stability, and promotes the formation of a substrate with higher biogas potential. The obtained results demonstrate the feasibility of using such inoculants in silage production technologies for bioenergy purposes.

Keywords: maize silage, bacterial starter composition, lactic fermentation, lactic-to-acetic acid ratio, aerobic stability, methanogenesis, biogas, methane yield.