Identification and Occurrence of Heterophilic Rumen Bacteria and Fungi Isolated from Selected Nigerian Breeds of Cattle

Abstract

The kinetics of fermentative activities in the rumen justified the need for microbial assessment of autochthonous members of rumen community before prolonged fermentation in the selected breeds of cattle commonly adapted to Nigerian environment. A total of four breeds of cattle were selected for this study comprising of both male and female sexes of Bunaji (White Fulani), Futumi (Keteku), Bokolo (N’dama) and Djeli (Sokoto Gudali) respectively. Total heterophilic bacteria (THB) on Nutrient agar (NA) ranged between 9.1×108 cfu/g - 125×1011 cfu/g with the highest count recorded for male Djeli (Dm) and the least count for female Djeli (Df) respectively. Total heterophilic fungi (THF) on Malt Extract (ME) agar recorded the highest count (6.0×105 spores/g) for female Bunaji (Bf) and no growth was observed for female Bokolo (Bkf). The rumen pH ranged between 5.65 and 6.90 for female Futumi (Ff) and male Bunaji (Bm) respectively. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed for pH and total microbial counts based on sex. Standard methods of Colonial and biochemical assessments led to the isolation, characterization and identification of bacterial species of the genera; Klebsiella, Proteus, Pseudomonas and Shigella. Klebsiella edwardsii occured highest (24.24%) while Proteus morganella, Shigella dysentariae and Shigella sonnei occurred least (3.03%). Fungal species of the group; Aspergillus, Botrytis, Cladosporium, Cephalosporium, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Pullularia, Rhizoctonia and Trichophyton were also isolated and identified. Aspergillus glaucus and Pullularia pullulans both occurred highest (17%) while A. fumigatus, A. niger, Botrytis spp., Cladosporium herbarium, Penicillium camemberti, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum and Rhizoctonia solani occurred least at the level of 5%. In conclusion, breed as a factor had significant effects on the type, population and percentage occurrence of rumen bacteria and fungi studied in this work. The use of fistulated animals is recommended for microbial screening at different stages of fermentation without the need to sacrifice the animals.