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Biochanin A improves fibre fermentation by cellulolytic bacteria
Author(s) -
Harlow Brittany E.,
Flythe Michael D.,
Aiken Glen E.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.13632
Subject(s) - rumen , bacteria , food science , fibrobacter succinogenes , ruminococcus , propionate , fermentation , biology , hay , microbiology and biotechnology , soybean meal , biochemistry , chemistry , botany , genetics , raw material , ecology
Aims The objective was to determine the effect of the isoflavone biochanin A ( BCA ) on rumen cellulolytic bacteria and consequent fermentative activity. Methods and Results When bovine microbial rumen cell suspensions ( n = 3) were incubated (24 h, 39°C) with ground hay, cellulolytic bacteria proliferated, short‐chain fatty acids were produced and pH declined. BCA (30 μ g ml −1 ) had no effect on the number of cellulolytic bacteria or pH , but increased acetate, propionate and total SCFA production. Addition of BCA improved total digestibility when cell suspensions ( n = 3) were incubated (48 h, 39°C) with ground hay, Avicel, or filter paper. Fibrobacter succinogenes S85, Ruminococcus flavefaciens 8 and Ruminococcus albus 8 were directly inhibited by BCA . Synergistic antimicrobial activity was observed with BCA and heat killed cultures of cellulolytic bacteria, but the effects were species dependent. Conclusions These results indicate that BCA improves fibre degradation by influencing cellulolytic bacteria competition and guild composition. Significance and Impact of the Study BCA could serve as a feed additive to improve cellulosis when cattle are consuming high‐fibre diets. Future research is needed to evaluate the effect of BCA on fibre degradation and utilization in vivo .