*3.4.3. Starter cultures in silages*

Ensiling is a traditional method of preserving forages and is widely used all over the world. It is based on natural fermentation, where LAB ferment water-soluble carbohydrates into organic acids, mainly lactic acid or acetic and formic acids, under anaerobic conditions. Inoculation of LAB is often used as silage additive to enhance lactic acid fermentation [18]. This results in decreasing pH, inhibiting detrimental anaerobes and preserving the nutritional value and palatability of the forage [105,106].

Among the LAB genera frequently used are *Lactobacillus plantarum*, Enterococcus *faecium*, *Pediococcus acidilactici*, *Pediococcus pentoseceus* and *Lactobacillus acidophilus*, with usual rates 105-106 viable cells / g [107]. Feeding ruminants with silages that have been treated with LAB beyond improving their performance, it is believed to induce probiotic effects [108].
