Effect of transferring lignocellulose-degrading bacteria from termite to rumen fluid of sheep on in vitro gas production, fermentation parameters, microbial populations and enzyme activity

The digestive tract of termite(Microcerotermes diversus) contains a variety of lignocellulose-degrading bacteria with exocellulases enzyme activity, not found in the rumen, which could potentially improve fiber degradation in the rumen. The objectives of the current study were to determine the effect of inoculation of rumen fluid(RF) with three species of bacteria isolated from termite digestive tract, Bacillus licheniformis, Ochrobactrum intermedium, and Microbacterium paludicola, on in vitro gas production(IVGP), fermentation parameters, nutrient disappearance, microbial populations, and hydrolytic enzyme activities with fibrous wheat straw(WS) and date leaf(DL) as incubation substrate. Inoculation of RF with either of three termite bacteria increased(P<0.05) ammonia-N concentration compared with the control group(free of termite gut bacteria). Termite bacteria inoculation had no effect(P>0.05) on gas production characteristics, dry matter, organic matter and neutral detergent fiber disappearance, pH, and concentration and composition of volatile fatty acids. Population of proteolytic bacteria and protozoa, but not cellulolytic bacteria, were increased(P<0.05) when RF was inoculated with termite bacteria with both WS and DL substrates. Inoculation of RF with termite bacteria increased protease activity, while activities of carboxymethyl-cellulase, microcrystalline-cellulase, α-amylase and filter paper degrading activity remained unchanged(P>0.05). Overall, the results of this study indicated that transferring lignocellulose-degrading bacteria, isolated from digestive tract of termite, to rumen liquid increased protozoa and proteolytic bacteria population and consequently increased protease activity and ammonia-N concentration in vitro, however, no effect on fermentation and fiber degradation parameters were detected. These results suggest that the termite bacteria might be rapidly lysed by the rumen microbes before beneficial effects on the rumen fermentation process could occur.

Inoculation and co-inoculation of alfalfa seedlings with root growth promoting microorganisms(Piriformospora indica,Glomus intraradices and Sinorhizobium meliloti) affect molecular structures,nutrient profiles and availability of hay for ruminants

Inoculation of alfalfa seedlings with root growth promoting microorganisms under semi-arid climate condition may improve biomass production and nutritive value.The current study aimed to investigate the effect of inoculation of alfalfa seedlings with Piriformospora indica(Pi) and co-inoculating Pi with Glomus intraradices(Gi+Pi) or Sinorhizobium meliloti(Sm+Pi) on hay yield,chemical composition,molecular structures by Fourier transformed infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy,in situ ruminal degradability and in vitro gas production.Seedlings were grown in experimental pots in a greenhouse until first cut and then transferred outside and cut a further 4 times.Biomass yield was similar across the treatments.Acid detergent fiber(ADF) concentration was higher in Pi than in control hay,and ADF decreased further with co-inoculation(P < 0.05).The ether extract(EE) concentration was lower for Pi and Gi+Pi compared with control hay,and control,Pi and Gi+Pi hays had lower EE concentration compared with Sm+Pi(P < 0.05).The FTIR spectroscopic vibration peak height ratio related to proteins(amide1+amide 2): total carbohydrate ratio was lower for the inoculation treatments compared with control hay(P < 0.05).In situ ruminal degradability of dry matter and organic matter were higher for hay of inoculated and co-inoculated seedlings than for control hay(P < 0.05).In conclusion,hay of alfalfa seedlings inoculated and co-inoculated with root growth promoting microorganisms had improved nutritional value compared with hay from non-treated alfalfa seedlings,and co-inoculation was the most effective,however,changes were relatively minor.