Fermentation profile and bioactive component retention in honeysuckle residue silages inoculated with lactic acid bacteria: A promising feed additive for sustainable agriculture
Yanfang Wu, Yi Xiao, Charles Obinwanne Okoye, Lu Gao, Xunfeng Chen, Yongli Wang, Jianxiong Jiang
Abstract
Non-medicinal parts of honeysuckle , including leaves, vines, and stems, are rich in bioactive compounds but are often discarded, leading to resource wastage and environmental pollution. Meanwhile, the reliance on traditional animal feed supplemented with antibiotics has raised critical concerns regarding environmental pollution and potential health risks. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of preserving the bioactive components from honeysuckle residues through ensiling as an alternative to antibiotics in animal feed. The effects of various lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculants — Pediococcus pentosaceus G18, PC2–1(F2), and Lentilactobacillus buchneri (formerly Lactobacillus buchneri ) PC-C1—on the fermentation quality and bioactive compounds in honeysuckle residue silages were investigated. Fermentation characteristics, chemical composition, and bioactive compounds retention were analyzed after 14, 30, and 60 days of storage period. Inoculated silages exhibited a significant pH reduction (from 5.6 to 3.4), about 10 % decrease in crude fiber (CF), and increased lactic acid content to 7.4 g/kg compared to controls. Specifically, silages inoculated with P. pentosaceus PC2–1(F2) and L. buchneri PC-C1 preserved up to 45 % of chlorogenic acids and 99 % of rutin (RUT), luteolin (LUT), and luteoloside (LUTG) after 14 days of ensiling, significantly higher than other treatments and trace levels observed after 60 days. Moreover, these treatments enhanced crude protein (CP) content by 28 % after 14 days while reducing acid detergent fiber (ADF) to 35.17 % DM. Besides, the lower acid detergent lignin (ADL) content (8.37 % DM) recorded in honeysuckle residue silages compared to traditional feeds supports better digestibility and reduced reliance on protein supplements, establishing honeysuckle residue silages as a valuable alternative feed source. This study further suggests that a 14-day ensiling period is optimal for maximizing silage quality and bioactive compound retention, indicating that LAB-inoculated honeysuckle silages can be effectively used as a nutritious feed additive for ruminants, offering environmental and nutritional benefits.