IMPROVED TECHNIQUES FOR ISOLATING AND PURIFYING RUMEN ORGANISMS

Abstract

An improved technic for the isolation of rumen bacteria from high dilutions of rumen contents has been devised. This procedure is designed to create a suitable pH and Eh in both the dilution blanks and the broth, and to control the production of acid by the more rapidly growing organisms. Culture of rumen bacteria is improved, and the growth of several delicate anaerobes typical of the adult roughage-fed ruminant is encouraged by this method. An anaerobic plating technic for the purification of mixed cultures is described. Quantitative estimates of the bacteria present in a sample can be obtained using this method.