## 4 Discussion
However, significant differences existed among the investigated strains, which may be attributed to differences in hydrophobic and hydrophilic extensions in the cell wall of bacteria. _L. plantarum_ KCC-38 possessed a comparatively higher percentage of hydrophobicity and aggregations properties compared to other strains KCC-37 and KACC-91067. We then analyzed the antifungal activity of selected Lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The numbers of LAB from various origins show strong antifungal activity and bio-preservation potential [29; 30]. Especially _Lactobacillus_ sp. is the most prevalent bacterial isolates associated with antifungal activity. Among the species, _L. palmitarum_ is considered as the most well-known LAB species for its antifungal activity [20; 31]. _L. plantarum_ exhibited antifungal activity against different fungal species including _Aspergillus_ sp., _pencillium_ sp. and other fungal spices [32; 33]. Current study, antifungal activity of _L. palmitarum_ KCC-37 and KCC-38 studied against _S. brevicaulis A. clavatus_, _P. chrysogenum_, _A. flavus_, and _F. oxysporum_. Cell-free metabolites produced at different temperatures and pH exhibits potent antifungal activity against all tested fungi. This antifungal activity varied with CFM produced by KCC-37 and KCC-38 at different conditions. In general, optimum temperature and pH influence the production of antimicrobial metabolites. In our experiment, CFM of both strains showed strong antifungal activity while KCC-37 and KCC-38 grown in temperature at 35 \({}^{\circ}\)C and pH at 6.5. LAB inhibits the growth of fungi through the production of organic acids. Among the organic acid produced by LAB, the lactic acid is considered as major metabolites, usually produced higher amounts compared to other organic acids. LAB produced a significant amount of acetic acid and propinoic acid that inhibits the growth of fungi [34]. In the current study we noted, KCC-37 and KCC-38 produced a higher amount of lactic acid with a significant amount of acetic and succinic acid in MRS broth. It might be one of the reasons behind the antifungal activity of KCC-37 and KCC-38 against all tested fungi [20; 35]. _L. plantarum_ KCC-37 and KCC-38 showed effective inhibition against different fungi, but significant differences were noted in inhibitory effects of CFM produced at different temperatures and pH environments. We then investigated the role of _L. plantarum_ KCC-37 and KCC-38 in the fermentation of Italian ryegrass at low moisture conditions. An addition of LAB as inoculants at ensiling is intended to ensure rapid and vigorous fermentation that results in rapid acidification and higher amounts lactic acid production at the early stage of ensiling and inhibiting the growth of undesirable bacteria [2; 36; 37]. In general epiphytic LAB converts the water-soluble carbohydrates into organic acids in the samples during ensilation, which reduced pH of the silages and also preserved for a long time. LAB population in forage samples are very less, it's not sufficient to initiate the fermentation rapidly and also unable to produce a higher concentration of lactic acid during fermentation, this condition could favor the growth of clostridia and causes deterioration of silage quality [38]. Many reports claimed that an addition of _L. plantarum_, _L. pentosus_, and _Pediococcus pentosaccus_ effectively ferment the different types of grass and legume plants and preserve its life for a long time [39; 40; 41]. Therefore, the addition of LAB is essential criterion for enhancing the fermentation process and rapidly decreased the pH of the silage by producing a higher amount of lactic acid with a lesser extent to acetic acid. Due to the production of these acids, the pH of the ensiled silages decreases and spoilage microorganisms are inhibited. LAB rapidly prevents deterioration of silage quality for a long time [42; 43]. Current study, we used _L. plantarum_ KCC-37 and KCC-38 as inoculants for low moisture silage production. Both strains rapidly acidified silages than the non-inoculated silages.