Dietary Transformation of Lipid in the Rumen Microbial Ecosystem

Rumen microbial ecosystem

The inhabitants of the rumen microbial eco-system, a complex consortium of different microbial groups living in symbiotic relationship with the host, act synergistically for the bioconversion of lignocellulosic feeds into volatile fatty acids which serve as a source of energy for the animals. The constraints, imposed by the host and the feed consumed by the animal, under which these microbes ha...

Biotechnology and modifications of the rumen microbial ecosystem.

Contribution of protozoa to lysine synthesis in the in vitro rumen microbial ecosystem.

Isotopic tracer experiments were conducted in vitro to determine contribution of protozoa toward the biosynthesis of lysine in the rumen microbial ecosystem. The presence of protozoa in a rumen microbial suspension always increased lysine synthesis from aspartate. Rumen contents from a faunated goat produced a higher amount of lysine than did those from a defaunated one.

Abundance and Genetic Diversity of Microbial Polygalacturonase and Pectate Lyase in the Sheep Rumen Ecosystem

BACKGROUND Efficient degradation of pectin in the rumen is necessary for plant-based feed utilization. The objective of this study was to characterize the diversity, abundance, and functions of pectinases from microorganisms in the sheep rumen. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A total of 103 unique fragments of polygalacturonase (PF00295) and pectate lyase (PF00544 and PF09492) genes were retri...

The effect of dietary sulfur on performance, mineral status, rumen hydrogen sulfide, and rumen microbial populations in yearling beef steers

Sulfur (S) is a requisite part of the ruminant diet, but may sometimes be present in excess, leading to decreased animal performance and illness. In this experiment, 96 crossbred yearling steers (321 ± 29 kg BW) were used to determine the effects of dietary S concentration of a supplement fed to cattle on pasture and of the total diet in the finishing period. Steers were blocked by weight and a...