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Rumen Microbial Growth Rates and Yields: Effect of Amino Acids and Protein¹

Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis 95616

ABSTRACT

Effects of amino acids upon microbial growth, optimum ratio of nonprotein to amino acid nitrogen for microbial growth, and incorporation of amino acids into microbial cells were determined with washed cell suspension in vitro as were rumen microbial cells. Rumen microbial dry matter, nitrogen, ribonucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid, and substrate disappearance was greatest when a mixture of 18 amino acids was substituted for urea. Substitutions of mixtures of 10 essential amino acids, 8 nonessential amino acids, and sulfur containing amino acids and glutamate also stimulated microbial growth. Acid hydrolyzed casein markedly improved microbial growth. Branched amino acid addition did not affect growth. The optimum ratio of nonprotein to amino acid nitrogen for microbial growth was 75% urea nitrogen and 25% amino acid nitrogen. With this amount of amino acids, an average of 53% of added amino acid was incorporated into microbial cells, 14% was fermented to carbon dioxide and volatile fatty acids, and 33% remained in the supernatant. Both 100% urea and 100% amino acid in growth media were unfavorable for maximal microbial growth. With all carbohydrate substrates, 100% urea nitrogen supported the growth of 9 mg bacterial dry matter per 100 mg of substrate. Substitutions of amino acids for urea increased yields to over 20 mg/100 mg. Microbial growth yields in incubations under carbon dioxide were less than when flasks were flushed with nitrogen. However, yield of bacterial dry matter per unit of substrate was less under nitrogen than under carbon dioxide.

¹ Supported, in part, by a gift from Merck Institute, Rahway, Nj, and a Senior Fullbright-Hays Fellowship (CJV).

² Address: State University of Ghent Department of Nutrition and Hygiene, Bosstraat 1, B-9230 Melle, Belgium.

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