We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Methane production and substrate degradation by rumen microbial communities containing single protozoal species in vitro.
- Authors
Ranilla, M. J.; Jouany, J.-P.; Morgavi, D. P.
- Abstract
Aims: To assess the effect of protozoal species on rumen fermentation characteristics in vitro. Methods and Results: Entodinium caudatum, Isotricha intestinalis, Metadinium medium, and Eudiplodinium maggii from monofaunated wethers and mixed protozoa from conventional wethers were obtained by centrifugation, re-suspended at their normal densities in rumen fluid supernatants from defaunated or conventional wethers and incubated in vitro. The presence of protozoa increased the concentration of ammonia and altered the volatile fatty acids balance with more acetate and butyrate produced at the expense of propionate. Differences among species were observed, notably in the production of methane, which increased with E. caudatum as compared to other ciliates and to defaunated and mixed protozoa treatments ( P < 0·05). The increased methanogenesis was not correlated to protozoal biomass indicating that the metabolism of this protozoan and/or its influence on the microbial ecosystem was responsible for this effect. Conclusions: Entodinium caudatum stimulated the production of methane, a negative effect that was reinforced by a concomitant increase in protein degradation. Significance and Impact of the Study: Comparison of individual species of protozoa highlighted the particular influence of E. caudatum on rumen fermentation. Its elimination (targeted defaunation) from the rumen could reduce methane production without affecting feed degradation.
- Subjects
PROTOZOOLOGY; METHANE; BIOGAS; BIODEGRADATION; BIOCHEMISTRY; RUMEN microbiology; RUMEN fermentation; MICROBIAL biotechnology; PROTOZOAN biotechnology
- Publication
Letters in Applied Microbiology, 2007, Vol 45, Issue 6, p675
- ISSN
0266-8254
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1472-765X.2007.02251.x