Advances of Rumen Functional Bacteria and the Application of Micro-Encapsulation Fermentation Technology in Ruminants: A Review

Abstract

Rumen functional bacteria are crucial for the homeostasis of rumen fermentation and micro-ecology. Cellulolytic bacteria, amylolytic bacteria, protein- and fat-degrading bacteria, lactic acid-producing bacteria, lactic acid-consuming bacteria, methanogens, and others can all be found in the rumen flora and help the host and other microorganisms convert feed into energy. For instance, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Ruminococcus albus, and Fibrobacter succinogenes are the three most prevalent fiber-degrading bacteria. The digestion and metabolism of various nutrients and the absorption in rumen epithelium can greatly enhance host defense mechanisms and health production in ruminants. However, directly feeding live bacteria is prone to negative environmental effects. Therefore, the micro-encapsulation of film-forming and acid-resistant wall materials can become a great means of encapsulating naked bacteria into tiny particles. It can maintain the activity of functional flora, boost the function of the intestinal barrier, and improve its capacity for colonization on the surface of the rumen and colon mucosa. Therefore, the present review evaluates the latent progress of main functional bacteria and the applied techniques of micro-encapsulation in the rumen, in order to provide more references for the development and application of rumen-functional bacteria.