Screening and evaluation of the ruminal cellulolytic bacteria and their potential application as probiotics.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Rumen microbiologists are looking for new probiotics to improve the digestibility of livestock diets. This study intended to screen and evaluate the ruminal cellulolytic bacteria (CBs) and their potential application as probiotics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Microbial culture and molecular techniques performed to isolate CBs from the rumen of camels, deer and rams. Their antibacterial and antibiogram tests were done using disc diffusion method. Their potential to degrade cellulose, starch, tannin and protein were investigated using clear zone halo, and spectrophotometric techniques. Bilious, saline, and acidic broth media were used to study the resistance of isolates in intestinal conditions.

RESULTS

The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the strains belonged to Firmicutes and Proteobacteria phyla, and . The highest cellulase (CAS) activity was recorded by Dez wildlife13A (2.98 UmL), whereas Loot desert 111A (1.14 Uml) was produced the lowest enzyme. The isolates were highly resistant to synthetic conditions of intestine (pH 2.5-3.5, bile 0.3-2%), as well as tolerated higher concentrations of NaCl (up to 10%). They effectively inhibited standard pathogen strains, and showed sensitivity to the used antibiotics.

CONCLUSION

This study reports the cellulolytic Tabbas desert 32A for the first time from the rumen, which will have potential biotechnological applications.