Isolation and characterization of superior rumen bacteria of cattle (Bos taurus) and potential application in animal feedstuff

Rumen of cattle harbors many microorganisms responsible for bioconversion of nutrients into a source of energy for the animals. In recent years many rumen microbes have been isolated and characterized by sequence analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Some of the microbes have also been recommended as feed additives for improving the overall growth or production of animals. Rumen bacteria which have potential application in animal feed stuffs were isolated and characterized in this experiment. Isolation was carried out from the rumen of cattle (Bos taurus) using techniques of serial dilutions and repeated tubing of the selectively enriched microbial cultures by using the specific media for rumen bacteria. All the isolates were then screened for in vitro gas production and cellulase enzyme activity and four superior isolates were selected and characterized. There were 18.00% to 23.00% increases in gas production on addition of these isolates to the rumen fluid of cattle and there was better cellulase enzyme activity. Two isolates were identified as Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, one isolate as Streptococcus species and one isolate as Clostridium aminophilum. This indicated that, these isolates are superior and may have potential to be used as microbial feed additive in ruminants if fed in higher quantity.