Assessment of rumen microbial diversity of buffalo raised under typical feeding condition using Illumina Sequencing technique

Abstract

There are many factors determining the diversity of rumen microbial, such as feed and breed of animal. The purpose of this study was to assess the diversity of rumen bacterial of buffalo raised under typical feeding condition using Illumina sequencing method. Three adult buffalo were fed on a combination of elephant grass and rice straw for four weeks before taking the rumen fluid samples. In addition, each animal was also given feed supplement at 0.5% of body weight (dry matter base). The samples were analyzed for rumen fermentation pattern, including rumen pH, rumen NH3, and rumen VFA. The samples were also analyzed for rumen microbial diversity using Illumina sequencing technique. The results of the study indicated that the rumen condition of the animal was optimum, indicated by the values of rumen pH (6.8), rumen NH3 (155 mg/L), and rumen VFA (159.3 mmol/L) fell within the acceptable range. Based on the SILVA taxonomic database, two dominant phyla were identified, i.e. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. At the genera level, the most dominant group was Prevotella, followed by Christencenellaceae R-7 group, Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group, Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group. In conclusion, the optimum rumen condition of the animal might contribute to the diversity of rumen bacterial of the buffalo, which was assessed by the Illumina sequencing technique. The study also revealed some number of unidentified rumen microbial of buffalo that need further attention.