Experiments on the culture and physiology of holotrichs from the bovine rumen

Abstract

Methods are described for the separation of Dasytricha rumin antium from Isotricha prostoma and I. intestinalis, holotrichs found in the bovine rumen. The fermentation products of the protozoa were determined and CO2, H2, lactic, acetic and butyric acids were found to be produced by both Isotricha and Dasytricha. All 3 spp. of holotrichs deposited reserve food when fed sucrose, fructose, glucose, inulin and raffinose. Cellobiose and salicin were used only by Dasytricha and to a lesser extent than glucose. Rate of acid, CO2 and H2 production/cell/ hour for the holotrichs obtained from Warburg experiments, on a number of holotrichs; 240 g of fermentation acids are produced by an average number per day in 100 kg of rumen contents. The holotrich protein yield was calculated from the total N content/cell and numbers of protozoa present. About 33 g of protein are supplied each day. Isotricha was successfully cultured in small numbers for periods up to 3 weeks. The increase in numbers suggested that under culture conditions it divided once every 48 hours.