Isolation and Biochemical Characterization of Anaerobic Bacteria Strains from Discarded Ruminal Contents of Nigerian Breed Cattle and Preliminary Evaluation of Its Suitability for Animal Feedstuff

Aim: The study aimed at isolation and preliminary characterization of anaerobic bacteria from a special crossbreed of Muturu and N’Dama cattle found in parts of Nigeria. Study Design: The work investigated the suitability of the isolates in in vitro fermentation of biomass and evaluated the relationship between the bacterial flora and their ability to hydrolyse lignocellulosic materials from corn stover and rice straw as an indication of their potential application in animal feedstuff. Place and Duration of Study: Ahmadu Bello University,Zaria, Nigeria between 2011 and 2013. Original Research Article Habu et al.; BJI, 17(2): 1-13, 2017; Article no.BJI.26921 2 Methodology: Authentic isolate confirmation was done using AP120A isolation technique while bacterial enzyme quantification was by real time PCR. The substrate was digested in vitro, and Hungate roll tube technique employed for bacterial culturing. Results: Isolates confirmation revealed Actinomyces naeslundii, Fusobacterium necrophorum and Clostridium polysaccharolyticum. The mean colony counts were elevated in all the media culture used which further showed significant (P<0.05) difference between rumen fluid medium and medium 10 in Fusobacterium and Clostridium species, indicating a more suitable medium for bacterial culture. Corn stover gave significant biogas volume in the order, corn stover>rice straw> mineral solution. Similarly, the potential ability of the bacteria to produce biogas decreased as follows, Fusobacterium necrophorum >Clostridium parasaccharolyticum>Actinomyces naeslundii. PCR quantification revealed a 5500 bp gene indicating alcohol dehydrogenase. Conclusion: The rumen of this breed contains useful bacteria species with increased capacity to degrade agricultural waste (biomass) for biogas production and with higher digestibility efficiency that can be employed in feedstuff production. Additionally, Fusobacterium necrophorum produced higher biogas using corn stover as the optimum yielding biomaterial.