Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of Pediococcus pentosaceus (DSM 14021, DSM 23688 and DSM 23689) as silage additives for all animal species

Three strains of Pediococcus pentosaceus are each intended to improve the ensiling process at a dose of 1x10(8) CFU/kg fresh matter. This species is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety approach to safety assessment. As the identity of the strains has been established and as no resistance to antibiotics of human and veterinary clinical significance was detected, the use of the strains in the production of silage is presumed safe for livestock species, consumers of products from animals fed the treated silage and for the environment. In the absence of evidence, these additives should be regarded as skin and eye irritants and potential skin sensitisers. Given the proteinaceous nature of the active agents, the FEEDAP Panel considers it prudent to treat these additives as respiratory sensitisers. Given the high dusting potential of the preparations tested, there is the need to take measures to minimise inhalation exposure of workers. Eight studies with laboratory-scale silos were conducted with P. pentosaceus applied at 1 x 10(8) CFU/kg forage. In all the studies, which lasted for at least 90 days, the effects of adding the additive to forage were compared to untreated control materials. All three strains of P. pentosaceus have the potential to improve the production of silage by reducing the pH and increasing lactic acid concentration, resulting in an increased preservation of dry matter. There was also evidence of a significant reduction in protein breakdown as shown by the change in the ratio of ammonia/total N. This was shown in easy and moderately difficult to ensile forage materials with a dry matter content ranging between 20 and 33 %. (C) European Food Safety Authority, 2013