Abstract
The aim of this study was to isolate and molecularly identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB) associated with the epiphytic microflora and silage of wheatgrass (Agropyron spp.), as well as to evaluate their biotechnological potential as starter cultures for the ensiling of difficult-to-ensile forage crops under the climatic conditions of northern Kazakhstan. A total of 63 bacterial isolates were obtained and grown on MRS medium under different temperature conditions. Based on growth characteristics, pH values, and titratable acidity, 15 highly active strains were selected, demonstrating stable acidification (pH 3.99–4.75) and high metabolic activity. All isolates were catalase negative and capable of fermenting a wide range of carbohydrates and polyols, although pronounced strain-specific differences were observed. The selected strains exhibited proteolytic and antagonistic activity against test microorganisms and showed high tolerance to osmotic stress, maintaining growth at NaCl concentrations of up to 8–10%. Molecular identification based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that nine technologically significant strains belonged to the species Lactococcus garvieae, Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. The results obtained in this study demonstrate the high environmental adaptability of the isolated strains and confirm their potential for the development of effective microbial inoculants aimed at improving fermentation processes and enhancing the preservation of difficult-to-ensile forage crops under cold-climate conditions.