Alpalpa’s Lactic Acid Bacteria Success
- SEOUL, South Korea – A new lactic acid bacteria additive promises to improve the fermentation and storage of alfalfa silage, according to an announcement made today by...
- Silage, a fermented feed, allows for the storage of feed in environments prone to rainfall during harvest season.
- Alfalfa, a protein-rich and highly nutritious crop, is a popular feed choice among livestock farmers. However, challenges arise during silage production.
Lactic Acid Bacteria Additive Improves Alfalfa Silage Quality, Extends Shelf Life
Table of Contents
- Lactic Acid Bacteria Additive Improves Alfalfa Silage Quality, Extends Shelf Life
- Lactic Acid Bacteria Additive for Alfalfa Silage: Your Questions Answered
- What’s the Big News About Alfalfa Silage?
- Why is Alfalfa Silage Important?
- How Does Silage Production Work?
- What Challenges Exist in Alfalfa Silage Production?
- What is KCC-44 and How Does it Help?
- What Were the Key Findings of the KCC-44 Study?
- How Does KCC-44 Extend Silage Shelf Life?
- Has KCC-44 Been Recognized by the Scientific Community?
- Has the Technology Been Patented?
- How Do You Apply KCC-44?
- What are the Benefits of Using This Lactic Acid Bacteria Additive?
- What do the Experts say About KCC-44?
SEOUL, South Korea – A new lactic acid bacteria additive promises to improve the fermentation and storage of alfalfa silage, according to an announcement made today by the Rural Progress Administration. The technology is being transferred for practical use.
the science of Silage
Silage, a fermented feed, allows for the storage of feed in environments prone to rainfall during harvest season. the process involves fermenting high-moisture feed with lactic acid bacteria in airtight conditions, lowering acidity and increasing storage duration.
Alfalfa, a protein-rich and highly nutritious crop, is a popular feed choice among livestock farmers. However, challenges arise during silage production. A lack of water-soluble carbohydrates, essential for lactic acid bacteria fermentation, can hinder the process, especially with high moisture content, leading to inadequate acidity reduction and subsequent spoilage.
KCC-44: A Dedicated Solution
To combat these issues, the Rural Development Administration developed KCC-44, a lactic acid bacteria additive specifically designed for alfalfa. A five-month study revealed that KCC-44 lowered acidity from 5.49 to 4.6, compared to a control group, while together increasing lactic acid bacteria counts.
The lower acidity inhibits the growth of spoilage organisms, extending the silage’s shelf life.The study also noted a reduction in yeast counts from 5.4 to 4.4 and fungi counts from 4.9 to 4.6, indicating improved fermentation stability.
Academic Recognition and Practical Request
The findings of this research were published in Chemosphere, an international journal, highlighting the study’s academic significance. The Rural Development Administration has secured a patent for the KCC-44 lactic acid bacteria additive, paving the way for technology transfer and commercialization with private companies.
Easy Application
The lactic acid bacteria additive is designed for ease of use. The recommended application is 2 grams (105 to 106 CFU/reference) per ton of feed, diluted in water and sprayed evenly.
Expert opinion
“The development of this lactic acid bacteria additive will provide a practical solution to stably store alfalfa,” said Lee Sang-hoon, director of the Agricultural Administration.

Lactic Acid Bacteria Additive for Alfalfa Silage: Your Questions Answered
What’s the Big News About Alfalfa Silage?
According to a recent announcement from the Rural Development Administration in South Korea, a new lactic acid bacteria additive is poised to revolutionize alfalfa silage production. this technology aims to enhance fermentation, improve storage, and extend the shelf life of this important livestock feed.
Why is Alfalfa Silage Important?
Alfalfa is a protein-rich crop, highly valued by livestock farmers for its nutritional benefits. Silage, which is essentially fermented alfalfa, offers a way to preserve this valuable feed, especially in regions with unpredictable harvest seasons. The fermentation process, done in airtight conditions, is key to long-term storage.
How Does Silage Production Work?
Silage production involves fermenting high-moisture feed, such as alfalfa, with lactic acid bacteria in an airtight environment.This process lowers the acidity of the feed, preventing spoilage and extending its shelf life. The challenge lies in ensuring adequate fermentation with alfalfa, as a lack of water-soluble carbohydrates can hinder the process, which can lead to spoilage.
What Challenges Exist in Alfalfa Silage Production?
One major challenge is ensuring proper fermentation. Alfalfa sometimes lacks sufficient water-soluble carbohydrates, which are essential for the lactic acid bacteria to work thier magic. This can lead to insufficient acidity reduction and consequently, spoilage, especially in high-moisture conditions.
What is KCC-44 and How Does it Help?
KCC-44 is a specially formulated lactic acid bacteria additive developed by the Rural Development Administration.Designed specifically for alfalfa, KCC-44 addresses the challenges outlined above. Studies have revealed that KCC-44 substantially improved the silage quality by lowering acidity and increasing the count of beneficial lactic acid bacteria.
What Were the Key Findings of the KCC-44 Study?
A five-month study using KCC-44 showed impressive results. Here’s a summary:
- Acidity Reduction: KCC-44 lowered acidity from 5.49 to 4.6 compared to a control group.
- Increased Lactic Acid Bacteria: the additive promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria.
- Reduced Spoilage Organisms: It inhibited the growth of spoilage organisms, extending shelf life.
- Yeast and Fungi Reduction: Yeast counts dropped from 5.4 to 4.4, and fungi counts decreased from 4.9 to 4.6, indicating improved fermentation.
How Does KCC-44 Extend Silage Shelf Life?
By lowering acidity, KCC-44 creates an environment that inhibits the growth of spoilage organisms like yeasts and fungi. this stabilization of fermentation is the key to a longer shelf life for the alfalfa silage.
Has KCC-44 Been Recognized by the Scientific Community?
Yes! The research findings on KCC-44 have been published in chemosphere, an international journal, which underscores the significance of the study. This publication adds credibility and authority to the findings.
Has the Technology Been Patented?
The Rural Development Administration has secured a patent for KCC-44. This paves the way for technology transfer and the commercialization of the additive with private companies, making it accessible to farmers.
How Do You Apply KCC-44?
KCC-44 is designed for easy application. The recommended dosage is 2 grams (105 to 106 CFU/reference) per ton of feed. This should be diluted in water and sprayed evenly onto the alfalfa.
What are the Benefits of Using This Lactic Acid Bacteria Additive?
The table below summarizes the key benefits of using the KCC-44 additive for alfalfa silage:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Improved Fermentation | Helps ensure the fermentation process works optimally. |
| Extended Shelf Life | Reduces spoilage, allowing silage to be stored longer. |
| Reduced Spoilage Organisms | Inhibits the growth of organisms that cause silage to spoil. |
| Ease of Use | Simple application process. |
What do the Experts say About KCC-44?
Lee Sang-hoon,director of the Agricultural Administration,stated,”The development of this lactic acid bacteria additive will provide a practical solution to stably store alfalfa.”
