Bacterial flora, protozoal fauna and volatile fatty acids in the nrmen of the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in tropical Asia

Abstract

The composition of the ruminal flora and the VFA concentra' tion were surveyed in the water buffalo found in tropical Asia. The results showed that the average concentration of VFA in rumen contents was 57 mM and the number of bacteria and protozoaw as 1010a nd 106p er ml, respectivelyA. cetic acid comprised the major portion of the individual VFA followed by propionic acid. Among the rumen bacteriaG ram'negativer ods were most predominantf ollowed by Gram-positivec occi. Four new species of rumen protozoa have been found in the water buffalo in tropical Asia i.e. Entodinium ogimotoi, E. bubalum, E. fuiitai and E. tsunodai. The rumen ciliate composition was compared among water buffalo found in different regions of the world.

Die samestel l ingv an die f lora van die grootpense n die vlugtigev etsuurkonsentrasiies ondersoeki n die waterbuffel wat in tropiese Asi6 voorkom. Volgens die resultate was die gemiddeldek onsentrasiev an vlugtigev etsurei n die grootpens' fnhoud 57 mM en die aantal bakterie€ en protoso6 was 10ru en 106p er m! onderskeidelikD. ie grootsteg edeeltev an die in' dividuele vetsure was asynsuur, gevolg deur propionsuur. Gram-negatiewest awe het die oorheersendeg edeeltev an die rumen bakteriedu itgemaak,g evolgd eur Gram-positiewek okke. Vier nuwe spesies rumen protoso€ is in die waterbuffel in tropiese Asi€ gevind, nl. Entodittium ogimotoi, E. bubalum, E. fuiitaien E. tsunodai. Die samestelling van die siliate van die grootpens is vergelyk met di6 van waterbuffels wat in ver' skillende streke van die wdreld voorkom.

Keywords: Rumen, water buffalo, bacterial flora, protozoal fauna, ciliate, Entodinium, Entodinium ogimotor, ruminant, volatile fatty acids (VFA)