毛茛科植物提取物、莫能霉素及苹果酸对小麦粉体外发酵的影响

本文旨在比较研究毛茛科植物提取物、莫能霉素和苹果酸对小麦粉的肉牛瘤胃体外发酵的影响效果。试验采用体外产气量法进行。瘤胃液供体动物为3头装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的本地黄牛,发酵底物为小麦粉。试验设3个处理组:毛茛科植物提取物组(200mg/L)、莫能霉素组(5mg/L)和苹果酸组(10mmol/L),对照组不添加调控剂。结果表明,各处理组之间小麦粉DM降解率差异不显著(P=0.06),活体外24h产气量、理论最大产气量、产气速率和产气延滞期差异极显著(P<0.01)。植物提取物处理组能明显提高发酵液pH,而莫能霉素和苹果酸处理组导致发酵液pH下降(P<0.05),不同处理组间各发酵时间点的发酵液中乳酸含量无显著差异(P>0.05)且均较低。各处理组之间的总挥发性脂肪酸产量无显著性差异(P>0.05),但各种挥发性脂肪酸的摩尔百分比例差异显著(P<0.05)。本试验中3个处理组均能明显改变小麦粉的体外发酵。与莫能霉素相比,提取物能明显提高小麦粉体外发酵液pH,增加总挥发性脂肪酸产量,改变各种挥发性脂肪酸的摩尔百分比例,而苹果酸处理对小麦粉体外发酵的调控效果不理想。     

体外产气法研究植物精油对肉羊体外瘤胃发酵参数及甲烷产量的影响

本试验旨在采用体外产气法研究4种天然植物精油(桉叶油、山苍子油、肉桂油和茴香油)对肉羊体外瘤胃发酵参数及甲烷(CH4)产量的影响。体外培养底物精粗比为60∶40,分别添加0(对照)、50、100、200和400 mg/L的桉叶油、山苍子油、肉桂油和茴香油,每种植物精油的每个浓度设置3个重复,体外模拟瘤胃发酵培养24 h,测定24 h产气量和气体中的CH4产量以及瘤胃发酵液的pH、挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)和氨态氮(NH3-N)浓度。结果表明:1)添加山苍子油、茴香油显著影响了体外瘤胃发酵液pH(P0.05)。2)与对照组相比,添加400 mg/L山苍子油、茴香油显著降低了总VFA浓度(P0.05),且随着山苍子油、茴香油添加浓度的增加呈线性下降趋势(P0.05);添加400 mg/L山苍子油和茴香油均显著增加了乙酸比例(P0.05),且随着山苍子油和茴香油添加浓度的增加呈先降低后升高的二次曲线趋势(P0.05);添加200 mg/L茴香油、400 mg/L桉叶油显著提高了丙酸比例(P0.05),而添加400 mg/L的山苍子油显著降低了丙酸比例(P0.05),且随着桉叶油、山苍子油、茴香油添加浓度的增加呈二次曲线变化趋势(P0.05);添加400 mg/L桉叶油、200 mg/L茴香油显著降低了乙酸/丙酸(P0.05),添加400 mg/L山苍子油显著增加了乙酸/丙酸(P0.05),且随着桉叶油、山苍子油、茴香油添加浓度的增加呈二次曲线变化趋势(P0.05)。3)与对照组相比,添加400 mg/L茴香油显著降低了NH3-N含量(P0.05),且随着茴香油添加浓度的增加呈线性下降趋势(P0.05)。4)与对照组相比,添加400 mg/L山苍子油、茴香油均显著降低了产气量(P0.05),且随则山苍子油添加浓度的增加呈先增加后降低的二次曲线趋势(P0.05),随着茴香油添加浓度的增加呈线性下降趋势(P0.05);添加400 mg/L山苍子油、茴香油显著降低了CH4产量(P0.05),且随着山苍子油添加浓度的增加呈先增加后降低的二次曲线趋势(P0.05),随着茴香油添加浓度的增加呈线性下降趋势(P0.05)。由此可见,不同植物精油对体外瘤胃发酵参数和CH4产量的影响结果不同,且与植物精油浓度有关。     

金银花提取物对瘤胃体外发酵参数及产气量的影响

本试验旨在探究添加金银花提取物对瘤胃体外发酵参数及产气量的影响。试验选用4头健康、体况相近、安装永久性瘤胃瘘管的荷斯坦奶牛作为试验动物,用于瘤胃液的采集。试验分为5组,对照组发酵底物不添加金银花提取物,试验组在发酵底物中分别添加0.5、1.0、2.0、4.0 mg/g金银花提取物,每组6个重复,试验共重复3个批次。分别于发酵1.5、3.0、6.0、12.0、24.0 h记录产气量,体外发酵24.0 h后,测定瘤胃发酵参数。结果表明:1)添加1.0、2.0、4.0 mg/g金银花提取物可以使发酵液p H及氨态氮(NH3-N)浓度显著低于对照组(P0.05),并且使发酵液乳酸、微生物蛋白(MCP)、总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)浓度以及24.0 h产气量显著高于对照组(P0.05)。2)0.5 mg/g金银花提取物组发酵液p H及NH3-N、乳酸及TVFA浓度与对照组和其他3个试验组均无显著差异(P0.05),仅发酵液MCP浓度和24.0 h产气量显著高于对照组(P0.05)。结果显示,在体外条件下,添加金银花提取物可以有效调节瘤胃微生物发酵状态,综合经济效益考虑,添加1.0 mg/g金银花提取物最适宜。     

非纤维性碳水化合物水平对活体外瘤胃发酵和产生共轭亚油酸的影响

在底物粗蛋白质和粗脂肪水平相同的条件下,研究非纤维性碳水化合物(NFC)水平(20%、40%、60%和80%)对活体外瘤胃发酵24h后的发酵参数和发酵液中共轭亚油酸(CLA)浓度的影响。结果表明:底物不同的NFC水平影响活体外瘤胃发酵和CLA的产生。随底物NFC水平的提高,瘤胃微生物的活体外发酵程度提高;同时发酵液中CLA的浓度随底物NFC水平的提高呈线性增加(L,P<0.0001)的变化趋势。     

不同植物精油对体外瘤胃发酵及甲烷产量影响的比较研究

在底物精粗比为6∶4的条件下,在底物中添加不同剂量[使发酵液中植物精油的浓度分别为0(对照)、50、100、200和400 mg/L]的丁子香酚、D-柠烯、茴香脑、肉桂醛、百里香酚或香芹酚,通过体外产气法比较研究不同植物精油对体外瘤胃发酵和甲烷(CH4)产量的影响。每种植物精油的每个剂量设3个重复。体外模拟瘤胃发酵培养24 h,测定产气量和气体中的CH4含量以及发酵液的p H、挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)和氨态氮(NH3-N)浓度。结果表明:1)除百里香酚外,添加各种植物精油对体外发酵液p H均无显著影响(P0.05)。2)添加丁子香酚、D-柠烯、茴香脑和肉桂醛对体外发酵液总VFA浓度没有显著影响(P0.05),但总VFA浓度随百里香酚和香芹酚浓度的增加呈二次曲线变化(PQ0.01)。与对照组相比,添加400 mg/L百里香酚和香芹酚显著降低体外发酵液总VFA浓度(P0.01)。D-柠烯、茴香脑、百里香酚和香芹酚的添加改变了各VFA占总VFA的摩尔百分比。与对照组相比,添加50 mg/L D-柠烯和茴香脑使乙酸比例显著增加(P0.05),丙酸比例显著降低(P0.05);而添加400 mg/L D-柠烯和茴香脑则使乙酸比例显著下降(P0.05),丙酸和丁酸比例显著上升(P0.05)。百里香酚和香芹酚的添加对乙酸比例没有产生显著影响(P0.05),与对照组相比,400 mg/L百里香酚和香芹酚使丙酸比例显著下降(P0.05)。3)添加茴香脑、百里香酚和香芹酚显著影响体外发酵液NH3-N浓度(P0.05),与对照组相比,400 mg/L百里香酚和香芹酚显著降低NH3-N浓度(P0.05)。4)添加D-柠烯、茴香脑、肉桂醛对体外发酵24 h产气量没有显著影响(P0.05)。与对照组相比,各浓度的百里香酚和香芹酚均显著降低体外发酵24 h产气量(P0.05),且产气量随百里香酚和香芹酚浓度的增加呈二次曲线变化(PQ0.01)。5)添加D-柠烯、茴香脑和肉桂醛对体外发酵24 h CH4产量没有显著影响(P0.05)。与对照组相比,50和100 mg/L的丁子香酚显著增加体外发酵24 h CH4产量(P0.05),而400 mg/L的百里香酚和香芹酚体外发酵24 h CH4产量分别降低84.7%(P0.05)和73.9%(P0.05)。综合以上试验结果可知,不同植物精油对体外瘤胃发酵和CH4产量的影响结果不同,且与添加剂量有关。其中,低剂量的百里香酚和香芹酚促进体外瘤胃发酵,而高剂量的百里香酚和香芹酚抑制体外瘤胃发酵且显著降低24 h CH4产量。     

利用体外发酵法研究蜜蜂肽对瘤胃发酵参数及甲烷气体排放量的影响

本研究旨在通过体外发酵试验研究蜜蜂肽对瘤胃发酵参数及甲烷气体排放量的影响。本试验选用健康、体重[(40±3)kg]相近的高山美利奴羊(n=4)作为瘤胃液供体。试验采用单因子试验设计,共3个处理,在每千克干物质基础上,分别添加0、0.75、1.50 mg的蜜蜂肽,每个处理7个重复。发酵24 h后,冰水终止发酵,收集产气和发酵液,测定瘤胃发酵液pH,确定蜜蜂肽对发酵液气体产量、挥发性脂肪酸浓度以及部分微生物数量的影响。结果表明:体外发酵24 h,与不添加蜜蜂肽相比,添加0.75 mg蜜蜂肽能显著提高瘤胃内乙酸比例和乙酸/丙酸(P<0.05),显著降低丙酸比例(P<0.05),显著提高甲烷产量(P<0.05),有提高瘤胃pH(P=0.080)和普雷沃氏菌数量(P=0.078)的趋势。综上所述,在体外发酵24 h条件下,蜜蜂肽对绵羊瘤胃发酵有一定影响,能够调节绵羊瘤胃发酵模式。     

低淀粉饲粮条件下不同瘤胃降解淀粉水平对体外瘤胃发酵的影响

本试验旨在研究玉米作为淀粉来源的低淀粉饲粮条件下不同瘤胃降解淀粉(RDS)水平对体外瘤胃发酵的影响。以3头安装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的健康荷斯坦奶牛作为瘤胃液供体,各组分别以不同RDS水平饲粮作为发酵底物,体外产气法测定培养48 h时产气量和瘤胃发酵参数以及24 h时瘤胃微生物区系变化。结果表明:1)随着饲粮RDS水平的提高,体外培养48 h时产气量、潜在产气部分和产气速率呈线性升高(P0.05),快速发酵部分产气量呈线性下降(P0.05),干物质消失率呈线性升高(P0.05);2)随着饲粮RDS水平的提高,体外培养48 h时发酵液微生物蛋白、乙酸、丙酸、丁酸和总挥发性脂肪酸浓度呈线性升高(P0.05),pH和氨态氮浓度没有显著变化(P0.05);3)随着饲粮RDS水平的提高,体外培养24 h时发酵液中白色瘤胃球菌和嗜淀粉瘤胃杆菌的相对数量呈线性升高(P0.05),黄色瘤胃球菌、琥珀酸丝状杆菌、溶纤维丁酸弧菌、牛链球菌和溶淀粉琥珀酸单胞菌的相对数量没有显著变化(P0.05)。综合考虑,低淀粉饲粮条件下提高RDS水平有利于瘤胃发酵。     

植物乳杆菌对玉米秸秆和水稻秸秆体外发酵特性的影响

本试验旨在探讨植物乳杆菌(Lactobacillus plantarum)对玉米秸秆和水稻秸秆奶牛瘤胃体外发酵特性的影响。采用单因子随机区组试验设计,分别以玉米秸秆和水稻秸秆为发酵底物,分析不同添加水平[0(对照)、0.25×107、0.50×107和0.75×107CFU/m L]植物乳杆菌对发酵底物体外发酵产气量(1、2、4、6、12、24、36、48 h)、产气参数、干物质降解率(DMD)、中性洗涤纤维降解率(NDFD)、发酵液挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)、氨态氮(NH3-N)浓度及p H的影响。结果表明:添加植物乳杆菌能显著提高玉米秸秆发酵初期产气速率和产气量(1~24 h)(P0.05),以添加0.75×107CFU/m L效果最为理想;添加植物乳杆菌能显著提高水稻秸秆体外发酵后期(36~48 h)产气量(P0.05),而以添加0.25×107CFU/m L效果最为理想。随着植物乳杆菌添加水平的增加,2种底物体外发酵液NH3-N浓度均呈现显著的线性增加效应(P0.05)。不同植物乳杆菌添加水平对2种底物体外发酵NDFD、DMD、发酵液VFA(乙酸、丙酸、异丁酸、丁酸和戊酸)浓度以及p H均无显著影响(P0.05)。由试验结果推断,添加植物乳杆菌能促进玉米秸秆和水稻秸秆体外发酵及其氮代谢,同时对维持p H的稳定平衡具有积极作用,最佳添加水平分别为0.75×107和0.25×107CFU/m L。     

沙棘黄酮对绵羊体外产气量、瘤胃发酵参数和微生物菌群的影响

本试验旨在通过体外产气法研究饲粮中添加不同水平沙棘黄酮对绵羊体外产气量、瘤胃发酵参数和微生物区系的影响。试验分为6组,以精粗比为60∶40的育肥羊全混合日粮为发酵底物,各组分别添加0(对照)、0.1%、0.2%、0.3%、0.4%和0.5%的沙棘黄酮。体外发酵24 h后,测定产气量、瘤胃发酵参数和瘤胃微生物数量。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加0.3%、0.4%和0.5%沙棘黄酮显著提高了各时间点产气量(P0.05),且在沙棘黄酮添加水平为0.5%时产气量均达到最大值。2)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加0.3%和0.4%沙棘黄酮显著提高了干物质降解率、有机物降解率和代谢能(P0.05),且均在沙棘黄酮添加水平为0.3%时达到大值;但0.5%组有机物降解率和代谢能与对照组差异不显著(P0.05)。3)饲粮中添加不同水平沙棘黄酮对发酵液pH和氨态氮浓度无显著影响(P0.05)。0.4%组和0.5%组的发酵液微生物蛋白质浓度显著高于其他各组(P0.05);0.3%组发酵液甲烷产量最低,显著低于对照组、0.1%组、0.2%组和0.5%组(P 0.05)。4) 0.3%组发酵液乙酸浓度显著高于对照组、0.1%组(P 0.05),0.3%组发酵液丙酸浓度显著高于其他各组(P0.05);0.3%组发酵液总挥发性脂肪酸浓度最高,显著高于对照组、0.1%组(P0.05)。5)0.4%组和0.5%组的发酵液中白色瘤胃球菌、黄色瘤胃球菌、原虫、产甲烷菌和总菌数量均显著低于其他各组(P0.05)。综上所述,沙棘黄酮可以改善绵羊体外发酵,抑制甲烷产生。本试验条件下,沙棘黄酮的适宜添加水平为0.3%。     

橘皮提取物对瘤胃微生物体外发酵的影响

为揭示橘皮提取物对奶牛瘤胃体外发酵参数的影响，本试验采用体外批次培养法，选用3头健康、装有瘤胃瘘管的荷斯坦奶牛用于瘤胃液的采集。试验分为2组，每组3个重复。对照组添加0.6 mL 80%甲醇，试验组添加0.6 mL橘皮提取液。分别在体外培养6、12、24 h和48 h记录产气量，发酵48 h后，测定瘤胃发酵参数。结果表明：（1）试验组发酵液pH较对照组降低1.51%(P <0.05)。（2）试验组产气量较对照组提高55.99%(P <0.05)，试验组发酵液尿素氮浓度较对照组提高83.97%(P <0.05)，试验组发酵液丙酸浓度较对照组提高21.44%(P <0.05)，试验组发酵液戊酸浓度较对照组提高37.14%(P <0.05)。综上，添加橘皮提取物可有效调控瘤胃微生物发酵状态。     

Wheat pasture bloat dynamics, in vitro ruminal gas production, and potential bloat mitigation with condensed tannins

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) forage growth stage, forage allowance, time of day, and commercial condensed tannins (CT) on steer bloat dynamics and in vitro ruminal gas production. Twenty-six crossbreed steers (Angus x Hereford x Salers; average initial BW = 194 +/- 26 kg) were used. Wheat forage allowances were either 18 kg (high forage allowance) and 6 kg (low forage allowance) of DM/(100 kg BW.d). In each bloat observation period, fresh wheat forage samples were hand-clipped to ground level in all study pastures for nutrient and in vitro ruminal gas production analyses. In vitro ruminal gas accumulation was measured at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12 h. Commercial CT was added at 0, 10, 15, and 20 mg of CT/g of DM. Bloat was scored once per week on two consecutive days at 0800 and 1500 during the vegetative stage and once every 2 wk during the reproductive stage of wheat development. Mean bloat score was calculated for each steer by time of day, stage of plant growth, and forage allowance. Bloat was detected in 65.8% of the observation periods. Average bloat scores were four and 2.5 times greater (P < 0.05) in cattle grazing at a high forage allowance than at a low forage allowance in the vegetative and reproductive growth phases of wheat, respectively. Rate of gas production was greater (P < 0.001) in the vegetative stage than in the reproductive stage. Steer bloat score was positively correlated with forage CP (r = 0.22; P < 0.05) and IVDMD (r = 0.32; P < 0.05). Rate of ruminal gas production was positively correlated (P < 0.01) to forage CP (r = 0.48), NPN (r = 0.40), soluble protein (r = 0.32), and IVDMD (r = 0.47). Conversely, negative correlations were found for forage DM (r = -0.20; P < 0.05), insoluble protein (r = -0.40), NDF (r = -0.69), and forage height (r = -0.49; P < 0.01) on the rate of ruminal gas production. Addition of CT at levels greater than 10 mg of CT/g of DM decreased (P < 0.05) the rate of in vitro ruminal gas and methane gas production after 5 h of incubation. Wheat pasture bloat is a complex disorder that varies across an array of forage and environmental conditions. Condensed tannins have the potential to decrease bloat by altering ruminal gas production and soluble protein digestibility from wheat forage.     

没食子酸和三甲胺N-氧化物对体外瘤胃发酵和三甲胺代谢的影响

试验旨在研究没食子酸(GA)和三甲胺N-氧化物(TMAO)对体外瘤胃发酵和三甲胺(TMA)代谢的影响.通过瘤胃体外模拟试验分析瘤胃底物消失率、总产气量、发酵参数和TMA代谢情况,设置对照组、15 mg GA/g DM组、5 mg TMAO/g DM组、5 mg TMAO+15 mg GA/g DM组,每组4个重复,培养...     

不同无机磷添加水平对混合瘤胃微生物体外发酵的影响

采用体外法研究无机磷添加浓度对瘤胃发酵的影响。培养液中设0mg/L、30mg/L、60mg/L、90mg/L、120mg/L、150mg/L、200mg/L、250mg/L、300mg/L、350mg/L共10个无机磷水平。体外发酵48h后终止培养,测定培养液的产气量、pH值、挥发性脂肪酸、干物质降解率、NDF降解率。结果表明:无机磷添加水平对48h总产气量和DM降解率影响显著(P0.05),随着无机磷添加水平的提高,48h总产气量和DM降解率显著提高,添加水平为200mg/L时达到最大值,分别为44.30mL和54.80%,随后下降。瘤胃培养液pH值随无机磷添加水平的增加而显著降低(P0.05),无机磷添加水平为200mg/L时达到最小值6.35,随后又上升。不同无机磷添加水平对乙酸、丙酸、丁酸和总VFA产量影响显著(P0.05),无机磷添加水平为200mg/L时,乙酸、丙酸、丁酸及总VFA产量最高,随后下降。     

体外法研究不同磷添加水平对奶牛瘤胃发酵的影响

本试验采用体外法研究无机磷对瘤胃发酵的影响。无机磷在培养液中设0、30、60、90、120、150、200、250、300、350 mg/L 10个水平。体外培养发酵48 h终止培养,测定培养液的产气量和干物质降解率。结果表明:无机磷添加水平对48 h总产气量和干物质降解率影响显著(P<0.05),随着无机磷添加水平的提高,48 h总产气量和干物质降解率显著提高(P<0.05),添加水平为200 mg/L时达到最大值,分别为44.30 mL和54.80%,随后下降。在本试验条件下,无机磷的适宜添加水平为200 mg/L。     

Screening for the effects of natural plant extracts at different pH on in vitro rumen microbial fermentation of a high-concentrate diet for beef cattle

Six natural plant extracts and three secondary plant metabolites were tested at five doses (0, 0.3, 3, 30, and 300 mg/L) and two different pH (7.0 and 5.5) in a duplicate 9 x 5 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to determine their effects on in vitro microbial fermentation using ruminal fluid from heifers fed a high-concentrate finishing diet. Treatments were extracts of garlic (GAR), cinnamon (CIN), yucca (YUC), anise (ANI), oregano (ORE), and capsicum (CAP) and pure cinnamaldehyde (CDH), anethole (ATL), and eugenol (EUG). Each treatment was tested in triplicate and in two periods. Fifty milliliters of a 1:1 ruminal fluid-to-buffer solution were introduced into polypropylene tubes supplied with 0.5 g of DM of a 10:90 forage:concentrate diet (15.4% CP, 16.0% NDF; DM basis) and incubated for 24 h at 39 degrees C. Samples were collected for ammonia N and VFA concentrations. The decrease in pH from 7.0 to 5.5 resulted in lower (P < 0.05) total VFA, ammonia N, branched-chain VFA concentration, acetate proportion, and acetate:propionate, and in a higher (P < 0.05) propionate proportion. The interaction between pH and doses was significant for all measurements, except for ATL and CDH for butyrate, ATL and EUG for acetate:propionate ratio, and ORE for ammonia N concentration. The high dose of all plant extracts decreased (P < 0.05) total VFA concentrations. When pH was 7.0, ATL, GAR, CAP, and CDH decreased (P < 0.05) total VFA concentration, and ANI, ORE, CIN, CAP, and CDH increased (P < 0.05) the acetate:propionate. The CIN, GAR, CAP, CDH, ORE, and YUC decreased (P < 0.05), and EUG, ANI, and ATL increased (P < 0.05) ammonia N concentration. The effects of plant extracts on the fermentation profile when pH was 7.0 were not favorable for beef production. In contrast, when pH was 5.5, total VFA concentration did not change (ATL, ANI, ORE, and CIN) or increased (P < 0.05) (EUG, GAR, CAP, CDH, and YUC), and the acetate:propionate (ORE, GAR, CAP, CDH, and YUC) decreased (P < 0.05), which would be favorable for beef production. Ammonia N (ATL, ANI, CIN, GAR, CAP, and CDH) and branched-chain VFA (ATL, EUG, ANI, ORE, CAP, and CDH) concentrations also were decreased (P < 0.05), suggesting that deamination was inhibited. Results indicate that the effects of plant extracts on ruminal fermentation in beef cattle diets may differ depending on ruminal pH. When pH was 5.5, GAR, CAP, YUC, and CDH altered ruminal microbial fermentation in favor of propionate, which is more energetically efficient.     

Influence of cobalt concentration on vitamin B12 production and fermentation of mixed ruminal microorganisms grown in continuous culture flow-through fermentors

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietary concentrations of Co on vitamin B12 production and fermentation of mixed ruminal microbes grown in continuous culture fermentors. Four fermentors were fed 14 g of DM/d. The DM consisted of a corn and cottonseed hull-based diet with Co supplemented as CoCO3. Dietary treatments were 1) control (containing 0.05 mg of Co/kg of DM), 2) 0.05 mg of supplemental Co/kg of DM, 3) 0.10 mg of supplemental Co/kg of DM, and 4) 1.0 mg of supplemental Co/kg of DM. After a 3-d adjustment period, fermentors were sampled over a 3-d sampling period. This process was repeated 2 additional times for a total of 3 runs. Ruminal fluid vitamin B12 concentrations were affected by Co supplementation (P < 0.01), and there was a treatment x day interaction (P < 0.01). By sampling d 3, cultures fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.10 mg of Co/kg had greater (P < 0.05) vitamin B12 concentrations than those supplemented with 0.05 mg of Co/kg of DM, and increasing supplemental Co from 0.10 to 1.0 mg/kg of DM increased (P < 0.01) ruminal fluid vitamin B12 concentration. Ruminal fluid succinate also was affected (P < 0.10) by a treatment x day interaction. Cobalt supplementation to the control diet greatly decreased (P < 0.05) succinate in ruminal cultures on sampling d 3 but not on d 1 or 2. Molar proportions of acetate, propionate, and isobutyrate, and acetate:propionate were not affected by the addition of supplemental Co to the basal diet. However, molar proportions of butyrate, valerate, and isovalerate increased (P < 0.05) in response to supplemental Co. The majority of long-chain fatty acids observed in this study were not affected by Co supplementation. However, percentages of C18:0 fatty acids in ruminal cultures tended (P < 0.10) to be greater for Co-supplemented diets relative to the control. Methane, ammonia, and pH were not greatly affected by Co supplementation. The results indicate that a total (diet plus supplemental) Co concentration of 0.10 to 0.15 mg/kg of dietary DM resulted in adequate vitamin B12 production to meet the requirements of ruminal microorganisms fed a high-concentrate diet in continuous-flow fermentors.     

Effects of high iron and sulfate ion concentrations on dry matter digestion and volatile fatty acid production by ruminal microorganisms.

The inhibitory effects of iron- and sulfate-containing compounds on the in vitro digestion of a balanced forage diet by mixed populations of ruminal microorganisms were examined in batch cultures. Compounds containing ferrous and ferric cations consistently inhibited DM digestion by up to 36% when added Fe concentrations in cultures were between 100 and 1,000 mg/L. Increased sulfate concentrations of up to 200 mg/L or chloride concentrations of up to 635 mg/L were not associated with decreased DM digestion. Ammonium sulfate additions that provided 200 mg/L of added sulfur increased (P less than .05) digestibility by 10%. Sulfate-containing iron salts tended to be less inhibitory than chloride salts and were associated with increased gas production during digestion. Ferric chloride inhibited (P less than .05) microbial activities at lower concentrations than ferrous chloride. Data suggest that excessive iron supplementation or contamination of feeds with iron-containing pollutants may decrease microbial activities in the rumen.     

Effects of Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract on fermentation of amino acids, bermudagrass and starch by mixed ruminal microorganisms in vitro

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract (Amaferm) on the in vitro ruminal fermentation of coastal bermudagrass, soluble starch and amino acids. Mixed ruminal microorganisms were incubated in anaerobic media for either 24 h (Amaferm alone, soluble starch, amino acids) or 48 h (bermudagrass). Amaferm was added to the incubation bottles (n = 4) at concentrations of 0, .4 or 1.0 g/liter. When mixed ruminal microorganisms were incubated with only Amaferm, the 1.0 g/liter concentration increased the production of hydrogen (H2; P less than .001), methane (CH4; P less than .01), acetate (P less than .05), butyrate (P less than .01), total VFA (P less than .05) and NH3 (P less than .05). Addition of both levels of Amaferm to soluble-starch fermentations tended to enhance the production of H2 (P less than .11), CH4 (P less than .15), acetate (P less than .29) and total VFA (P less than .19); propionate production was increased (P less than .10) by 1.0 g/liter Amaferm, resulting in a decrease (P less than .05) in the acetate:propionate ratio. Fermentation of amino acids plus 1.0 g/liter Amaferm enhanced the production of acetate (P less than .05), propionate (P less than .05), valerate (P less than .01) and total VFA (P less than .10) and decreased the acetate:propionate ratio (P less than .05). In addition, NH3 production tended (P less than .19) to increase with both levels of Amaferm. When bermudagrass was the substrate, few changes in fermentation products were observed with Amaferm treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of fibrolytic enzymes on the hydrolysis and fermentation of pure cellulose and xylan by mixed ruminal microorganisms in vitro

A series of in vitro studies was conducted to determine the effects of adding a commercial enzyme product on the hydrolysis and fermentation of cellulose, xylan, and a mixture (1:1 wt/wt) of both. The enzyme product (Liquicell 2500, Specialty Enzymes and Biochemicals, Fresno, CA) was derived from Trichoderma reesei and contained mainly xylanase and cellulase activities. Addition of enzyme (0.5, 2.55 and 5.1 microL/g of DM) in the absence of ruminal fluid increased (P < 0.001) the release of reducing sugars from xylan and the mixture after 20 h of incubation at 20 degrees C. Incubations with ruminal fluid showed that enzyme (0.5 and 2.55 microL/g of DM) increased (P < 0.05) the initial (up to 6 h) xylanase, endoglucanase, and beta-D-glucosidase activities in the liquid fraction by an average of 85%. Xylanase and endoglucanase activities in the solid fraction also were increased (P < 0.05) by enzyme addition, indicating an increase in fibrolytic activity due to ruminal microbes. Gas production over 96 h of incubation was determined using a gas pressure measurement technique. Incremental levels of enzyme increased (P < 0.05) the rate of gas production of all substrates, suggesting that fermentation of cellulose and xylan was enzyme-limited. However, adding the enzyme at levels higher than 2.55 microL/g of DM failed to further increase the rate of gas production, indicating that the maximal level of stimulation was already achieved at lower enzyme concentrations. It was concluded that enzymes enhanced the fermentation of cellulose and xylan by a combination of pre- and postincubation effects (i.e., an increase in the release of reducing sugars during the pretreatment phase and an increase in the hydrolytic activity of the liquid and solid fractions of the ruminal fluid), which was reflected in a higher rate of fermentation.