Factors for establishing the rumen microbial ecosystem and the function of rumen microbial ecosystem

Rumen microbial ecosystem

The inhabitants of the rumen microbial eco-system, a complex consortium of different microbial groups living in symbiotic relationship with the host, act synergistically for the bioconversion of lignocellulosic feeds into volatile fatty acids which serve as a source of energy for the animals. The constraints, imposed by the host and the feed consumed by the animal, under which these microbes ha...

Biotechnology and modifications of the rumen microbial ecosystem.

Abundance and Genetic Diversity of Microbial Polygalacturonase and Pectate Lyase in the Sheep Rumen Ecosystem

BACKGROUND Efficient degradation of pectin in the rumen is necessary for plant-based feed utilization. The objective of this study was to characterize the diversity, abundance, and functions of pectinases from microorganisms in the sheep rumen. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A total of 103 unique fragments of polygalacturonase (PF00295) and pectate lyase (PF00544 and PF09492) genes were retri...

Rumen microbiology, biotechnology and ruminant nutrition: the application of research findings to a complex microbial ecosystem.

Research on rumen microorganisms has contributed greatly to our understanding of anaerobic microbial ecosystems, and has also influenced feeding practices and nutritional modelling with ruminants. However, it can be argued that rumen microbiology has not yet fulfilled its true potential. Growth-promoting ionophores, antibiotics and microbial feed additives were introduced before their microbiol...

Contribution of protozoa to lysine synthesis in the in vitro rumen microbial ecosystem.

Isotopic tracer experiments were conducted in vitro to determine contribution of protozoa toward the biosynthesis of lysine in the rumen microbial ecosystem. The presence of protozoa in a rumen microbial suspension always increased lysine synthesis from aspartate. Rumen contents from a faunated goat produced a higher amount of lysine than did those from a defaunated one.