Evaluation of Fibrolytic Activity of Two Different Anaerobic Rumen Fungal Isolates for their Utilization as Microbial Feed Additive Mamen Delcy, Vadivel V., Pugalenthi M.1*, Parimelazhagan T.2 Department of Biotechnology, Karpagam University, Coimbatore-641 021, India. *Reprint request: Dr. M. Pugalenthi, E-mail: pugalmuthiah@rediffmail.com
1Department of Botany, Government Arts College, Coimbatore-641 018, India. 2Department of Botany, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore-641 046, India. Abstract In the present study, two different anaerobic fungal organisms namely, Anaeromyces sp. (CTS-67) and Orpinomyces sp. (CTS-91) isolated from the rumen liquor of indigenous breeds of sheep and goat, respectively, were added to the mixed rumen microflora of buffalo to study their effect on the improvement of degradation of fibrous feeds under in vitro conditions. Between two fungal isolates investigated, CTS-67 showed higher level of in vitro gas production (18.65 ml/0.1 g DM) and exhibited highest stimulating effect on the true digestibility (35.28 and 43.31%), apparent digestibility (44.50 and 52.74%) and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (30.11 and 39.43%) of lignocellulosic feed after 24 and 48 h of incubation. The production of certain extra-cellular fibrolytic enzymes such as carboxymethylcellulase, xylanase and β-glucosidase were significantly higher in CTS-67 inoculated medium. Further, the fermentation end products such as total volatile fatty acids as well as the concentration of acetate, butyrate, isobutyrate, isovalerate and valerate were also significantly higher in CTS-67 added group when compared to CTS-91 and control groups. Hence, after conducting extensive in vivo trials, such potential fungal strain Anaeromyces sp. (CTS-67), isolated from the rumen liquor of Indian indigenous breed of sheep (Madras red), could be recommended as a microbial feed additive for improving the fiber degradation in buffaloes. Top Keywords Anaerobic fungi, Buffalo, Sheep, Goat, Fiber degradation, Fibrolytic enzymes, Rumen fermentation. Top |