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Toyber I, Kumar R, Jami E. Rumen protozoa are a hub for diverse hydrogenotrophic functions. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2024; 16:e13298. [PMID: 38961629 PMCID: PMC11222294 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Ciliate protozoa are an integral part of the rumen microbial community involved in a variety of metabolic processes. These processes are thought to be in part the outcome of interactions with their associated prokaryotic community. For example, methane production is enhanced through interspecies hydrogen transfer between protozoa and archaea. We hypothesize that ciliate protozoa are host to a stable prokaryotic community dictated by specific functions they carry. Here, we modify the microbial community by varying the forage-to-concentrate ratios and show that, despite major changes in the prokaryotic community, several taxa remain stably associated with ciliate protozoa. By quantifying genes belonging to various known reduction pathways in the rumen, we find that the bacterial community associated with protozoa is enriched in genes belonging to hydrogen utilization pathways and that these genes correspond to the same taxonomic affiliations seen enriched in protozoa. Our results show that ciliate protozoa in the rumen may serve as a hub for various hydrogenotrophic functions and a better understanding of the processes driven by different protozoa may unveil the potential role of ciliates in shaping rumen metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ido Toyber
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal SciencesAgricultural Research Organization, Volcani CenterRishon LeZionIsrael
- Department of Animal Sciencethe Hebrew University of JerusalemRehovotIsrael
| | - Raghawendra Kumar
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal SciencesAgricultural Research Organization, Volcani CenterRishon LeZionIsrael
| | - Elie Jami
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal SciencesAgricultural Research Organization, Volcani CenterRishon LeZionIsrael
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Cantalapiedra-Hijar G, Martinez-Fernandez G, Forano E, Denman SE, Morgavi D, McSweeney CS. The extent of nitrogen isotopic fractionation in rumen bacteria is associated with changes in rumen nitrogen metabolism. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291243. [PMID: 37703250 PMCID: PMC10499230 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Nitrogen use efficiency is an important index in ruminants and can be indirectly evaluated through the N isotopic discrimination between the animal and its diet (Δ15Nanimal-diet). The concentration and source of N may determine both the extent of the N isotopic discrimination in bacteria and N use efficiency. We hypothesised that the uptake and release of ammonia by rumen bacteria will affect the natural 15N enrichment of the bacterial biomass over their substrates (Δ15Nbacteria-substrate) and thereby further impacting Δ15Nanimal-diet. To test this hypothesis, two independent in vitro experiments were conducted using two contrasting N sources (organic vs inorganic) at different levels either in pure rumen bacteria culture incubations (Experiment #1) or in mixed rumen cultures (Experiment #2). In Experiment #1, tryptone casein or ammonium chloride were tested at low (1 mM N) and high (11.5 mM N) concentrations on three rumen bacterial strains (Fibrobacter succinogenes, Eubacterium limosum and Xylanibacter ruminicola) incubated in triplicate in anaerobic batch monocultures during 48h. In Experiment #2 mixed rumen cultures were incubated during 120 h with peptone or ammonium chloride at five different levels of N (1.5, 3, 4.5, 6 and 12-mM). In experiment #1, Δ15Nbacteria-substrate was lowest when the ammonia-consumer bacterium Fibrobacter succinogenes was grown on ammonium chloride, and highest when the proteolytic bacterial strain Xylanibacter ruminicola was grown on tryptone. In experiment #2, Δ15Nbacteria-substrate was lower with inorganic (ammonium chloride) vs organic (peptone) N source. A strong negative correlation between Δ15Nbacteria-substrate and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, a potential fibrolytic rumen bacterium, was detected. Together, our results showed that Δ15Nbacteria-substrate may change according to the balance between synthesis of microbial protein from ammonia versus non-ammonia N sources and confirm the key role of rumen bacteria as modulators of Δ15Nanimal-diet.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Evelyne Forano
- INRAE, Université Clermont Auvergne, UMR 454 MEDIS, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | | | - Diego Morgavi
- INRAE, Université Clermont Auvergne, Vetagro Sup, UMRH, Saint-Genes-Champanelle, France
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Volmer JG, Soo RM, Evans PN, Hoedt EC, Astorga Alsina AL, Woodcroft BJ, Tyson GW, Hugenholtz P, Morrison M. Isolation and characterisation of novel Methanocorpusculum species indicates the genus is ancestrally host-associated. BMC Biol 2023; 21:59. [PMID: 36949471 PMCID: PMC10035134 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01524-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With an increasing interest in the manipulation of methane produced from livestock cultivation, the microbiome of Australian marsupials provides a unique ecological and evolutionary comparison with 'low-methane' emitters. Previously, marsupial species were shown to be enriched for novel lineages of Methanocorpusculum, as well as Methanobrevibacter, Methanosphaera, and Methanomassiliicoccales. Despite sporadic reports of Methanocorpusculum from stool samples of various animal species, there remains little information on the impacts of these methanogens on their hosts. RESULTS Here, we characterise novel host-associated species of Methanocorpusculum, to explore unique host-specific genetic factors and their associated metabolic potential. We performed comparative analyses on 176 Methanocorpusculum genomes comprising 130 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) recovered from 20 public animal metagenome datasets and 35 other publicly available Methanocorpusculum MAGs and isolate genomes of host-associated and environmental origin. Nine MAGs were also produced from faecal metagenomes of the common wombat (Vombatus ursinus) and mahogany glider (Petaurus gracilis), along with the cultivation of one axenic isolate from each respective animal; M. vombati (sp. nov.) and M. petauri (sp. nov.). CONCLUSIONS Through our analyses, we substantially expand the available genetic information for this genus by describing the phenotypic and genetic characteristics of 23 host-associated species of Methanocorpusculum. These lineages display differential enrichment of genes associated with methanogenesis, amino acid biosynthesis, transport system proteins, phosphonate metabolism, and carbohydrate-active enzymes. These results provide insights into the differential genetic and functional adaptations of these novel host-associated species of Methanocorpusculum and suggest that this genus is ancestrally host-associated.
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Affiliation(s)
- James G Volmer
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland Frazer Institute, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, 4102, Australia
- Centre for Microbiome Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, 4102, Australia
| | - Rochelle M Soo
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, 4072, Australia
| | - Paul N Evans
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, 4072, Australia
| | - Emily C Hoedt
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland Frazer Institute, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, 4102, Australia
- Current Address: NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) in Digestive Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Ana L Astorga Alsina
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland Frazer Institute, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, 4102, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Woodcroft
- Centre for Microbiome Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, 4102, Australia
| | - Gene W Tyson
- Centre for Microbiome Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, 4102, Australia
| | - Philip Hugenholtz
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, 4072, Australia
| | - Mark Morrison
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland Frazer Institute, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, 4102, Australia.
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Mwangi FW, Suybeng B, Gardiner CP, Kinobe RT, Charmley E, Malau-Aduli BS, Malau-Aduli AEO. Effect of incremental proportions of Desmanthus spp. in isonitrogenous forage diets on growth performance, rumen fermentation and plasma metabolites of pen-fed growing Brahman, Charbray and Droughtmaster crossbred beef steers. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0260918. [PMID: 34982779 PMCID: PMC8726496 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Desmanthus (Desmanthus spp.), a tropically adapted pasture legume, is highly productive and has the potential to reduce methane emissions in beef cattle. However, liveweight gain response to desmanthus supplementation has been inconclusive in ruminants. This study aimed to evaluate weight gain, rumen fermentation and plasma metabolites of Australian tropical beef cattle in response to supplementation with incremental levels of desmanthus forage legume in isonitrogenous diets. Forty-eight Brahman, Charbray and Droughtmaster crossbred beef steers were pen-housed and fed a basal diet of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay supplemented with 0, 15, 30 or 45% freshly chopped desmanthus forage on dry matter basis, for 140 days. Varying levels of lucerne (Medicago sativa) hay were added in the 0, 15 and 30% diets to ensure that all diets were isonitrogenous with the 45% desmanthus diet. Data were analyzed using the Mixed Model procedures of SAS software. Results showed that the proportion of desmanthus in the diet had no significant effect on steer liveweight, rumen volatile fatty acids molar proportions and plasma metabolites (P ≥ 0.067). Total bilirubin ranged between 3.0 and 3.6 μmol/L for all the diet treatments (P = 0.67). All plasma metabolites measured were within the expected normal range reported for beef cattle. Rumen ammonia nitrogen content was above the 10 mg/dl threshold required to maintain effective rumen microbial activity and maximize voluntary feed intake in cattle fed low-quality tropical forages. The average daily weight gains averaged 0.5 to 0.6 kg/day (P = 0.13) and were within the range required to meet the target slaughter weight for prime beef markets within 2.5 years of age. These results indicate that desmanthus alone or mixed with other high-quality legume forages can be used to supplement grass-based diets to improve tropical beef cattle production in northern Australia with no adverse effect on cattle health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felista W Mwangi
- Animal Genetics and Nutrition, Veterinary Sciences Discipline, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Benedicte Suybeng
- Animal Genetics and Nutrition, Veterinary Sciences Discipline, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christopher P Gardiner
- Animal Genetics and Nutrition, Veterinary Sciences Discipline, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Robert T Kinobe
- Animal Genetics and Nutrition, Veterinary Sciences Discipline, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Edward Charmley
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Private Mail Bag Aitkenvale, Australian Tropical Sciences and Innovation Precinct, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bunmi S Malau-Aduli
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Aduli E O Malau-Aduli
- Animal Genetics and Nutrition, Veterinary Sciences Discipline, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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Karekar S, Stefanini R, Ahring B. Homo-Acetogens: Their Metabolism and Competitive Relationship with Hydrogenotrophic Methanogens. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020397. [PMID: 35208852 PMCID: PMC8875654 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Homo-acetogens are microbes that have the ability to grow on gaseous substrates such as H2/CO2/CO and produce acetic acid as the main product of their metabolism through a metabolic process called reductive acetogenesis. These acetogens are dispersed in nature and are found to grow in various biotopes on land, water and sediments. They are also commonly found in the gastro-intestinal track of herbivores that rely on a symbiotic relationship with microbes in order to breakdown lignocellulosic biomass to provide the animal with nutrients and energy. For this motive, the fermentation scheme that occurs in the rumen has been described equivalent to a consolidated bioprocessing fermentation for the production of bioproducts derived from livestock. This paper reviews current knowledge of homo-acetogenesis and its potential to improve efficiency in the rumen for production of bioproducts by replacing methanogens, the principal H2-scavengers in the rumen, thus serving as a form of carbon sink by deviating the formation of methane into bioproducts. In this review, we discuss the main strategies employed by the livestock industry to achieve methanogenesis inhibition, and also explore homo-acetogenic microorganisms and evaluate the members for potential traits and characteristics that may favor competitive advantage over methanogenesis, making them prospective candidates for competing with methanogens in ruminant animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriya Karekar
- Bioproducts Science and Engineering Laboratory, Washington State University Tri-Cities, 2720 Crimson Way, Richland, WA 99354, USA; (S.K.); (R.S.)
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | - Renan Stefanini
- Bioproducts Science and Engineering Laboratory, Washington State University Tri-Cities, 2720 Crimson Way, Richland, WA 99354, USA; (S.K.); (R.S.)
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | - Birgitte Ahring
- Bioproducts Science and Engineering Laboratory, Washington State University Tri-Cities, 2720 Crimson Way, Richland, WA 99354, USA; (S.K.); (R.S.)
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
- The Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
- Correspondence:
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Singh A, Moestedt J, Berg A, Schnürer A. Microbiological Surveillance of Biogas Plants: Targeting Acetogenic Community. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:700256. [PMID: 34484143 PMCID: PMC8415747 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.700256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Acetogens play a very important role in anaerobic digestion and are essential in ensuring process stability. Despite this, targeted studies of the acetogenic community in biogas processes remain limited. Some efforts have been made to identify and understand this community, but the lack of a reliable molecular analysis strategy makes the detection of acetogenic bacteria tedious. Recent studies suggest that screening of bacterial genetic material for formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (FTHFS), a key marker enzyme in the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, can give a strong indication of the presence of putative acetogens in biogas environments. In this study, we applied an acetogen-targeted analyses strategy developed previously by our research group for microbiological surveillance of commercial biogas plants. The surveillance comprised high-throughput sequencing of FTHFS gene amplicons and unsupervised data analysis with the AcetoScan pipeline. The results showed differences in the acetogenic community structure related to feed substrate and operating parameters. They also indicated that our surveillance method can be helpful in the detection of community changes before observed changes in physico-chemical profiles, and that frequent high-throughput surveillance can assist in management towards stable process operation, thus improving the economic viability of biogas plants. To our knowledge, this is the first study to apply a high-throughput microbiological surveillance approach to visualise the potential acetogenic population in commercial biogas digesters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijeet Singh
- Anaerobic Microbiology and Biotechnology Group, Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Moestedt
- Tekniska Verken i Linköping AB, Department R&D, Linköping, Sweden
| | | | - Anna Schnürer
- Anaerobic Microbiology and Biotechnology Group, Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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7
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Plasma Metabolites, Productive Performance and Rumen Volatile Fatty Acid Profiles of Northern Australian Bos indicus Steers Supplemented with Desmanthus and Lucerne. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11060356. [PMID: 34199517 PMCID: PMC8226790 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11060356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothesis tested was that tropical steers supplemented with the Desmanthus legume and lucerne, a widely characterized temperate legume of high nutritive value, would elicit similar responses in plasma metabolite profiles, productive performance, nitrogen retention, and volatile fatty acids (VFA). The tannin-binding compound, polyethylene glycol-4000 (PEG), was added to the diets (160 g/kg Desmanthus dry matter) with the objective of further exploring nitrogen (N) utilization in the animals supplemented with Desmanthus relative to lucerne. From February to June 2020, sixteen yearling Brangus steers (average liveweight of 232 ± 6 kg) were fed a background diet of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay for 28 days, before introducing three Desmanthus cultivars (Desmanthus virgatus cv. JCU2, D. bicornutus cv. JCU4, D. leptophyllus cv. JCU7) and lucerne (Medicago sativa) at 30% dry matter intake (DMI). Relative to the backgrounding period, all supplemented steers exhibited similar growth performance. Steers supplemented with Desmanthus recorded a lower DMI and animal growth performance, but higher fecal N concentration than animals supplemented with lucerne. Among the three Desmanthus cultivars, there were no significant differences in N concentrations, VFA, and plasma metabolite profiles. The addition of PEG induced higher rumen iso-acid concentrations and fecal N excretion. However, feeding Desmanthus spp. to tropical Bos indicus steers could be a valuable means of increasing N utilization, which is attributable to the presence of tannins, and, consequently, improve animal productive performance. Since supplementation with lucerne resulted in higher liveweight, daily liveweight gains, and overall animal performance than supplementing with Desmanthus, the tested hypothesis that both supplements will elicit similar animal performance does not hold and must be rejected. Further in vivo investigation is needed to better understand the impact of tannins in Desmanthus on N utilization.
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Honan M, Feng X, Tricarico J, Kebreab E. Feed additives as a strategic approach to reduce enteric methane production in cattle: modes of action, effectiveness and safety. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/an20295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Kang S, Khan S, Webb R, Denman S, McSweeney C. Characterization and survey in cattle of a rumen Pyrimadobacter sp. which degrades the plant toxin fluoroacetate. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2020; 96:5827530. [PMID: 32353874 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiaa077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the natural halogenic compounds, the plant toxin fluoroacetate (FA) causes livestock fatalities in southern hemisphere countries. Here, we report on the isolation of a rumen bacterium, strain C12-8 that degrades FA under anaerobic conditions. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed this bacterium belonged to the Pyramidobacter genus within the Synergistetes phylum and was 98% similar to Pyramidobacter piscolens W5455 isolated from the human oral cavity. Transmission electron microscopy showed the cell envelope to be unusual, with only one membrane and no obvious external wall. Growth and FA degradation were enhanced by peptide-rich protein hydrolysates but not carbohydrates. End products of metabolism were mainly acetate, propionate/isovalerate and isobutyrate. Strain C12-8 preferentially used peptide-bound amino acids rather than free amino acids. Glycine, serine, threonine, leucine, histidine and isoleucine were utilized as free and peptide-bound amino acids, but there was minimal utilization of alanine, proline, methionine, aspartic acid, lysine and arginine in either form. A survey of several cattle properties in northern Australia showed that strain C12-8 and other FA degrading bacteria affiliated with Cloacibacillus porcorum strain MFA1 were endemic to cattle in the northern beef herd and may help to reduce toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungha Kang
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Shahjalal Khan
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Rick Webb
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
| | - Stuart Denman
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Chris McSweeney
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
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10
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Supplementing Northern Australian Beef Cattle with Desmanthus Tropical Legume Reduces In-Vivo Methane Emissions. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10112097. [PMID: 33187296 PMCID: PMC7698017 DOI: 10.3390/ani10112097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The problem addressed in this study is that of mitigating methane emissions by tropical beef cattle with the aim of reducing the impact of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Australia. The primary objective was supplementing tropical beef cattle on poor quality hay with incremental levels of Desmanthus leptophyllus cv. JCU1 and Desmanthus bicornutus cv. JCU4 to evaluate their in-vivo antimethanogenic effect. Results showed that, irrespective of cultivar, incremental supplementation with up to 31% of Desmanthus led to a 10% linear decrease in methane emissions without reducing dry matter intake. This finding makes a significant novel contribution to a better understanding of the impact of supplementing beef cattle with Desmanthus on in vivo methane reduction and the role of condensed tannins in rumen fermentation. The practical implication of this finding is that Desmanthus, an adapted tropical legume, has the potential to mitigate in vivo methane emissions by beef cattle in the drier parts of Northern Australia and contribute to the larger global effort of reducing the impact of climate change and greenhouse gas emission. Abstract The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementing beef cattle with incremental levels of Desmanthus leptophyllus cv. JCU1 and Desmanthus bicornutus cv. JCU4 on in vivo methane (CH4) emissions and the role of tannins in rumen fermentation. Fourteen yearling Droughtmaster steers were allocated to each of the two Desmanthus species and offered a basal diet of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay plus fresh Desmanthus at 0%, 15%, 22%, and 31% of dry matter intake (DMI). The 15% and 31% Desmanthus periods lasted 21 days and the 22 and 0% Desmanthus periods, 14 days. Methane production was measured by open-circuit gas exchange in the last two days of each period. The results showed a linear increase in DMI and reduction in CH4 yield with the increasing level of Desmanthus and subsequently condensed tannins in the diet. The added tannin binder polyethylene glycol-4000 did not affect CH4 yield but increased rumen NH3-N and iso-acid concentrations. Therefore, on a low-quality diet, Desmanthus has the potential to increase intake and reduce CH4 emissions. Even though its tannins can bind rumen proteins, the beef cattle anti-methanogenic response to supplementation with Desmanthus may be a combination of rumen fermentation and tannin effects.
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11
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Martinez-Fernandez G, Jiao J, Padmanabha J, Denman SE, McSweeney CS. Seasonal and Nutrient Supplement Responses in Rumen Microbiota Structure and Metabolites of Tropical Rangeland Cattle. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1550. [PMID: 33049981 PMCID: PMC7600044 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8101550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to characterize the rumen microbiota structure of cattle grazing in tropical rangelands throughout seasons and their responses in rumen ecology and productivity to a N-based supplement during the dry season. Twenty pregnant heifers grazing during the dry season of northern Australia were allocated to either N-supplemented or un-supplemented diets and monitored through the seasons. Rumen fluid, blood, and feces were analyzed before supplementation (mid-dry season), after two months supplementation (late-dry season), and post supplementation (wet season). Supplementation increased average daily weight gain (ADWG), rumen NH3-N, branched fatty acids, butyrate and acetic:propionic ratio, and decreased plasma δ15N. The supplement promoted bacterial populations involved in hemicellulose and pectin degradation and ammonia assimilation: Bacteroidales BS11, Cyanobacteria, and Prevotella spp. During the dry season, fibrolytic populations were promoted: the bacteria Fibrobacter, Cyanobacteria and Kiritimatiellaeota groups; the fungi Cyllamyces; and the protozoa Ostracodinium. The wet season increased the abundances of rumen protozoa and fungi populations, with increases of bacterial families Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Muribaculaceae; the protozoa Entodinium and Eudiplodinium; the fungi Pecoramyces; and the archaea Methanosphera. In conclusion, the rumen microbiota of cattle grazing in a tropical grassland is distinctive from published studies that mainly describe ruminants consuming better quality diets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jinzhen Jiao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, China;
| | - Jagadish Padmanabha
- Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia; (G.M.-F.); (J.P.); (S.E.D.)
| | - Stuart E. Denman
- Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia; (G.M.-F.); (J.P.); (S.E.D.)
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12
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Laskar M, Kasai T, Awata T, Katayama A. Humin Assists Reductive Acetogenesis in Absence of Other External Electron Donor. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17124211. [PMID: 32545640 PMCID: PMC7344539 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17124211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The utilization of extracellular electron transfer by microorganism is highly engaging for remediation of toxic pollutants under “energy-starved” conditions. Humin, an organo-mineral complex of soil, has been instrumental as an external electron mediator for suitable electron donors in the remediative works of reductive dehalogenation, denitrification, and so forth. Here, we report, for the first time, that humin assists microbial acetogenesis as the extracellular electron donor using the electron acceptor CO2. Humin was obtained from Kamajima paddy soil, Japan. The anaerobic acetogenic consortium in mineral medium containing CO2/HCO3− as the inorganic carbon source used suspended humin as the energy source under mesophilic dark conditions. Retardation of acetogenesis under the CO2-deficient conditions demonstrated that humin did not function as the organic carbon source but as electron donor in the CO2-reducing acetogenesis. The consortium with humin also achieved anaerobic dechlorination with limited methanogenic activity. Total electron-donating capacity of humin was estimated at about 87 µeeq/g-humin. The metagenomic sequencing of 16S rRNA genes showed the predominance of Firmicutes (71.8 ± 2.5%) in the consortium, and Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae were considered as the CO2-reducing acetogens in the consortium. Thus, microbial fixation of CO2 using humin introduces new insight to the holistic approach for sustainable treatment of contaminants in environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahasweta Laskar
- Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan; (M.L.); (T.K.)
- Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Takuya Kasai
- Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan; (M.L.); (T.K.)
- Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Takanori Awata
- National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management, Tsukuba 305-0804, Japan;
| | - Arata Katayama
- Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan; (M.L.); (T.K.)
- Institute of Materials and Systems for Sustainability, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-(0)52-789-5856
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Ma ZY, Zhang XM, Wang M, Wang R, Jiang ZY, Tan ZL, Gao FX, Muhammed A. Molecular hydrogen produced by elemental magnesium inhibits rumen fermentation and enhances methanogenesis in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:5566-5576. [PMID: 30981486 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-15647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen is a key metabolite that connects microbial fermentation and methanogenesis in the rumen. This study was to investigate the effects of elevated H2 produced by elemental Mg on rumen fermentation and methanogenesis in dairy cows. Four nonlactating Chinese Holstein dairy cows were employed for this experiment in a replicated crossover design. The 2 dietary treatments included a basal diet supplemented with Mg(OH)2 (14.5 g/kg of feed dry matter) or elemental Mg (6.00 g/kg of feed dry matter). When compared with Mg(OH)2 treatment, cows fed diet with elemental Mg had similar rumen Mg2+ concentration, but higher rumen dissolved H2 and methane concentrations at 2.5 h after morning feeding. Also, elemental Mg supplementation decreased feed digestibility, rumen volatile fatty acid concentration, and relative abundance of group Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, genus Bifidobacterium, and group Mollicutes_RF9, increased acetate to propionate ratio, succinate concentration, and abundance of family Christensenellaceae. Elemental Mg supplementation increased enteric CH4 emission, altered methanogen community with increased abundance of order Methanomassiliicoccales, 16S ribosomal RNA gene copies of methanogens, and order Methanobacteriales. In summary, the pulse of elevated dissolved H2 after feeding produced by elemental Mg inhibited rumen fermentation and feed digestibility by decreasing the abundance of carbohydrate-degrading bacteria, promoted H2 incorporation into succinate by increasing family Christensenellaceae and genus Bacteroidales_BS11, and increased H2 utilization for methanogenesis by favoring growth of methanogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Yuan Ma
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory for Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Waste Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Production, South-Central Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Ministry of Agriculture, Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, Hunan 410125, P. R. China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Xiu Min Zhang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory for Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Waste Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Production, South-Central Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Ministry of Agriculture, Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, Hunan 410125, P. R. China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Min Wang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory for Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Waste Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Production, South-Central Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Ministry of Agriculture, Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, Hunan 410125, P. R. China.
| | - Rong Wang
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory for Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Waste Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Production, South-Central Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Ministry of Agriculture, Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, Hunan 410125, P. R. China
| | - Zai Yang Jiang
- Hunan Co-Innovation Center of Animal Production Safety (CICAPS), Changsha, Hunan 410128, P. R. China; Department of Animal Science and Technology, University of Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, P. R. China
| | - Zhi Liang Tan
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory for Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Waste Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Production, South-Central Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Ministry of Agriculture, Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, Hunan 410125, P. R. China
| | - Feng Xian Gao
- Hunan Co-Innovation Center of Animal Production Safety (CICAPS), Changsha, Hunan 410128, P. R. China; Department of Animal Science and Technology, University of Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan 410128, P. R. China
| | - Arowolo Muhammed
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory for Agro-Ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Waste Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Production, South-Central Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in Ministry of Agriculture, Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, Hunan 410125, P. R. China
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Lan W, Yang C. Ruminal methane production: Associated microorganisms and the potential of applying hydrogen-utilizing bacteria for mitigation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 654:1270-1283. [PMID: 30841400 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Methane emission from ruminants not only causes serious environmental problems, but also represents a significant source of energy loss to animals. The increasing demand for sustainable animal production is driving researchers to explore proper strategies to mitigate ruminal methanogenesis. Since hydrogen is the primary substrate of ruminal methanogenesis, hydrogen metabolism and its associated microbiome in the rumen may closely relate to low- and high-methane phenotypes. Using candidate microbes that can compete with methanogens and redirect hydrogen away from methanogenesis as ruminal methane mitigants are promising avenues for methane mitigation, which can both prevent the adverse effects deriving from chemical additives such as toxicity and resistance, and increase the retention of feed energy. This review describes the ruminal microbial ecosystem and its association with methane production, as well as the effects of interspecies hydrogen transfer on methanogenesis. It provides a scientific perspective on using bacteria that are involved in hydrogen utilization as ruminal modifiers to decrease methanogenesis. This information will be helpful in better understanding the key role of ruminal microbiomes and their relationship with methane production and, therefore, will form the basis of valuable and eco-friendly methane mitigation methods while improving animal productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Lan
- Institute of Dairy Science, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; MoE Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, China
| | - Chunlei Yang
- Institute of Dairy Science, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; MoE Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, China.
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Kang H, Park B, Bolo NR, Pathiraja D, Park S, Cha M, Choi IG, Chang IS. Gene-Centric Metagenome Analysis Reveals Gene Clusters for Carbon Monoxide Conversion and Validates Isolation of a Clostridial Acetogen for C2 Chemical Production. Biotechnol J 2019; 14:e1800471. [PMID: 30802355 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201800471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 12/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Syngas fermentation is largely dependent on acetogens that occur in various anaerobic environmental samples including soil, sediment, and feces. Here the authors report the metagenomic isolation of acetogens for C2 chemical production from syngas. Screening acetogens for C2 chemical production typically involves detecting the presence of the Wood-Ljungdahl Pathway for carbon monoxide conversion. The authors collect samples from river-bed sediments potentially having conditions suitable for carbon monoxide-converting anaerobes, and enrich the samples under carbon monoxide selection pressure. Changes in the microbial community during the experimental procedure are investigated using both amplicon and shotgun metagenome sequencing. Combined next-generation sequencing techniques enabl in situ tracking of the major acetogenic bacterial group and lead to the discovery of a 16 kb of gene cluster for WLP. The authors isolat an acetogenic clostridial strain from the enrichment culture (strain H21-9). The functional activity of H21-9 is confirmed by its high level of production of C2 chemicals from carbon monoxide (77.4 mM acetate and 2.5 mM of ethanol). This approach of incorporating experimental enrichment with metagenomic analysis can facilitate the discovery of novel strains from environmental habitats by tracking target strains during the screening process, combined with validation of their functional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunsoo Kang
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeonghyeok Park
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology Korea University, 5 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Nicole R Bolo
- International Environmental Research Institute Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Duleepa Pathiraja
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology Korea University, 5 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Shinyoung Park
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Minseok Cha
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Geol Choi
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology Korea University, 5 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - In Seop Chang
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
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de la Fuente G, Yañez-Ruiz DR, Seradj AR, Balcells J, Belanche A. Methanogenesis in animals with foregut and hindgut fermentation: a review. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.1071/an17701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Methane is the main greenhouse-gas contributor to global warming in the livestock sector; it is generated by anaerobic fermentation in the different sections of the gut, and the methane concentration differs significantly among species. Methane is produced only by certain types of microorganisms called methanogens. The species composition of methanogenic archaea population is largely affected by the diet, geographical location, host and the section of the gut. Consequently, methane production, either measured as total grams emitted per day or per bodyweight mass, differs greatly among animal species. The main difference in methanogenic activity among different gut sections and animal species is the substrate fermented and the metabolic pathway to complete anaerobic fermentation of plant material. The three main substrates used by methanogens are CO2, acetate and compounds containing methyl groups. The three dominant orders of methanogens in gut environments are Methanomicrobiales, Methanobacteriales and Methanosarcinales. They normally are present in low numbers (below 3% of total microbiome). The present review will describe the main metabolic pathways and methanogens involved in CH4 production in the gut of different host-animal species, as well as discuss general trends that influence such emissions, such as geographical distribution, feed composition, section of the gut, host age and diurnal and season variation. Finally, the review will describe animal species (large and small domestic ruminants, wild ruminants, camelids, pigs, rabbits, horses, macropods, termites and humans) specificities in the methanogen diversity and their effects on methane emission.
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17
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Levy B, Jami E. Exploring the Prokaryotic Community Associated With the Rumen Ciliate Protozoa Population. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2526. [PMID: 30420841 PMCID: PMC6217230 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ciliate protozoa are an integral part of the rumen microbiome and were found to exert a large effect on the rumen ecosystem itself as well as their host animal physiology. Part of these effects have been attributed to their ability to harbor a diverse ecto- and endo-symbiotic community of prokaryotic cells. Studies on the relationship between the protozoa population and their associated prokaryotic community in the rumen mainly focused on the methanogens, revealing that protozoa play a major role in enhancing methanogenesis potential. In contrast, little is known about the composition and function of the bacteria associated with rumen protozoa and the extent of this association. In this study, we characterize the prokaryotic communities associated with different protozoa populations and compare their structure to the free-living prokaryotic population residing in the cow rumen. We show that the overall protozoa associated prokaryotic community structure differs significantly compared to the free-living community in terms of richness and composition. The methanogens proportion was significantly higher in all protozoa populations compared to the free-living fraction, while the Lachnospiraceae was the most prevalent bacterial family in the protozoa associated bacterial communities. Several taxa not detected or detected in extremely low abundance in the free-living community were enriched in the protozoa associated bacterial community. These include members of the Endomicrobia class, previously identified as protozoa symbionts in the termite gut. Our results show that rumen protozoa harbor prokaryotic communities that are compositionally different from their surroundings, which may be the result of specific tropism between the prokaryotic community and protozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bar Levy
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel.,The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Elie Jami
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
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Martinez-Fernandez G, Duval S, Kindermann M, Schirra HJ, Denman SE, McSweeney CS. 3-NOP vs. Halogenated Compound: Methane Production, Ruminal Fermentation and Microbial Community Response in Forage Fed Cattle. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1582. [PMID: 30131771 PMCID: PMC6090035 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) and chloroform on methane (CH4) and H2 production, ruminal metabolites and microbial community structure in cattle fed a tropical forage diet. Eight rumen-fistulated steers were fed a roughage hay diet (Rhodes grass; Chloris gayana) for 31 days (control period). Four animals received the antimethanogenic compound chloroform (1.6 g chloroform-cyclodextrin/100 kg live weight (LW)) while the other four received 3-NOP (2.5 g 3-NOP/animal/day) for 21 days. Methane decrease compared with control period was similar for both treatments (30-38%) with no differences for expelled H2 between controls and treatments. Daily weight gain (DWG) was significantly increased when animals were treated with 3-NOP compared with chloroform and control. Regarding the ruminal fermentation parameters increases in ammonia, acetate and branched chain fatty acids were observed with both compounds compared with the controls. Also, methylamines, alcohols and dimethyl sulfone (DMSO2) concentrations were significantly increased with the treatments compared with control, being greater with 3-NOP. The rumen microbial analyses revealed a similar profile for both treatments, with a shift in operational taxonomic units (OTUs) assigned to the Prevotellaceae and Campylobacteraceae family. Moreover, major archaeal OTUs associated with Methanobrevibacter and Methanosphaera were significantly affected to varying extents based on the inhibitory treatments compared to the control. The abundance of the Methanobrevibacter spp. was decreased by 3-NOP and chloroform, while the Methanomassiliicoccaceae family was inhibited only by 3-NOP. The results suggest that despite the specific mode of action of 3-NOP on methanogens, inhibition of methanogenesis by both compounds resulted in similar responses in metabolism and microbial community structure in the rumen. We hypothesized that these changes were driven by the redirection of metabolic hydrogen ([H]) by both treatments. Therefore results from previous publications using chloroform as an inhibitor of methanogenesis may be useful in predicting ruminal microbiota and fermentation responses to 3-NOP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephane Duval
- Research Centre for Animal Nutrition and Health, DSM Nutritional Products, Saint-Louis, France
| | - Maik Kindermann
- Animal Nutrition and Health, DSM Nutritional Products, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Horst J Schirra
- The University of Queensland, Centre for Advanced Imaging, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Stuart E Denman
- CSIRO, Agriculture and Food, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
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Acetogen Communities in the Gut of Herbivores and Their Potential Role in Syngas Fermentation. FERMENTATION-BASEL 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation4020040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Martinez-Fernandez G, Denman SE, Cheung J, McSweeney CS. Phloroglucinol Degradation in the Rumen Promotes the Capture of Excess Hydrogen Generated from Methanogenesis Inhibition. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1871. [PMID: 29051749 PMCID: PMC5633678 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Strategies to manage metabolic hydrogen ([H]) in the rumen should be considered when reducing ruminant methane (CH4) emissions. However, little is known about the use of dietary treatments to stimulate rumen microorganisms capable of capturing the [H] available when CH4 is inhibited in vivo. The effects of the phenolic compound phloroglucinol on CH4 production, [H] flows and subsequent responses in rumen fermentation and microbial community composition when methanogenesis is inhibited were investigated in cattle. Eight rumen fistulated Brahman steers were randomly allocated in two groups receiving chloroform as an antimethanogenic compound for 21 days. Following that period one group received chloroform + phloroglucinol for another 16 days, whilst the other group received only chloroform during the same period. The chloroform treatment resulted in a decrease in CH4 production and an increase in H2 expelled with a shift in rumen fermentation toward higher levels of propionate and formate and lower levels of acetate at day 21 of treatment. Bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) assigned to Prevotella were promoted whilst Archaea and Synergistetes OTUs were decreased with the chloroform treatment as expected. The shift toward formate coincided with increases in Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, and Methanobrevibacter ruminantium species. The addition of chloroform + phloroglucinol in the rumen resulted in a decrease of H2 expelled (g) per kg of DMI and moles of H2 expelled per mol of CH4 decreased compared with the chloroform only treated animals. A shift toward acetate and a decrease in formate were observed for the chloroform + phloroglucinol-treated animals at day 37. These changes in the rumen fermentation profile were accompanied by a relative increase of OTUs assigned to Coprococcus spp., which could suggest this genus is a significant contributor to the metabolism of this phenolic compound in the rumen. This study demonstrates for the first time in vivo that under methanogenesis inhibition, H2 gas accumulation can be decreased by redirecting [H] toward alternative sinks through the nutritional stimulation of specific microbial groups. This results in the generation of metabolites of value for the host while also helping to maintain a low H2 partial pressure in the methane-inhibited rumen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Martinez-Fernandez
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Agriculture and Food, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Stuart E Denman
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Agriculture and Food, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Jane Cheung
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Agriculture and Food, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Christopher S McSweeney
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Agriculture and Food, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
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Li Z, Henderson G, Yang Y, Li G. Diversity of formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase genes in the rumens of roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) and sika deer (Cervus nippon) fed different diets. Can J Microbiol 2016; 63:11-19. [PMID: 27819479 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2016-0424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Reductive acetogenesis by homoacetogens represents an alternative pathway to methanogenesis to remove metabolic hydrogen during rumen fermentation. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of homoacetogen in the rumens of pasture-fed roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) and sika deer (Cervus nippon) fed either oak-leaf-based (tannin-rich, 100 mg/kg dried matter), corn-stover-based, or corn-silage-based diets, by using formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (FTHFS) gene sequences as a marker. The diversity and richness of FTHFS sequences was lowest in animals fed oak leaf, indicating that tannin-containing plants may affect rumen homoacetogen diversity. FTHFS amino acid sequences in the rumen of roe deer significantly differed from those of sika deer. The phylogenetic analyses showed that 44.8% of sequences in pasture-fed roe deer, and 72.1%, 81.1%, and 37.5% of sequences in sika deer fed oak-leaf-, corn-stover-, and corn-silage-based diets, respectively, may represent novel bacteria that have not yet been cultured. These results demonstrate that the rumens of roe deer and sika deer harbor potentially novel homoacetogens and that diet may influence homoacetogen community structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Li
- a Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animals, Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Gemma Henderson
- b AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Yahan Yang
- a Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animals, Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangyu Li
- a Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animals, Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, People's Republic of China
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Martinez-Fernandez G, Denman SE, Yang C, Cheung J, Mitsumori M, McSweeney CS. Methane Inhibition Alters the Microbial Community, Hydrogen Flow, and Fermentation Response in the Rumen of Cattle. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1122. [PMID: 27486452 PMCID: PMC4949212 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Management of metabolic hydrogen ([H]) in the rumen has been identified as an important consideration when reducing ruminant CH4 emissions. However, little is known about hydrogen flux and microbial rumen population responses to CH4 inhibition when animals are fed with slowly degradable diets. The effects of the anti-methanogenic compound, chloroform, on rumen fermentation, microbial ecology, and H2/CH4 production were investigated in vivo. Eight rumen fistulated Brahman steers were fed a roughage hay diet (Rhode grass hay) or roughage hay:concentrate diet (60:40) with increasing levels (low, mid, and high) of chloroform in a cyclodextrin matrix. The increasing levels of chloroform resulted in an increase in H2 expelled as CH4 production decreased with no effect on dry matter intakes. The amount of expelled H2 per mole of decreased methane, was lower for the hay diet suggesting a more efficient redirection of hydrogen into other microbial products compared with hay:concentrate diet. A shift in rumen fermentation toward propionate and branched-chain fatty acids was observed for both diets. Animals fed with the hay:concentrate diet had both higher formate concentration and H2 expelled than those fed only roughage hay. Metabolomic analyses revealed an increase in the concentration of amino acids, organic, and nucleic acids in the fluid phase for both diets when methanogenesis was inhibited. These changes in the rumen metabolism were accompanied by a shift in the microbiota with an increase in Bacteroidetes:Firmicutes ratio and a decrease in Archaea and Synergistetes for both diets. Within the Bacteroidetes family, some OTUs assigned to Prevotella were promoted under chloroform treatment. These bacteria may be partly responsible for the increase in amino acids and propionate in the rumen. No significant changes were observed for abundance of fibrolytic bacteria, protozoa, and fungi, which suggests that fiber degradation was not impaired. The observed 30% decrease in methanogenesis did not adversely affect rumen metabolism and the rumen microbiota was able to adapt and redirect [H] into other microbial end-products for both diets. However, it is also required dietary supplements or microbial treatments to capture the additional H2 expelled by the animal to further improve rumen digestive efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stuart E Denman
- CSIRO, Agriculture and Food, Queensland Bioscience Precinct St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Chunlei Yang
- Institute of Dairy Science, MoE Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University Hangzhou, China
| | - Jane Cheung
- CSIRO, Agriculture and Food, Queensland Bioscience Precinct St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Makoto Mitsumori
- NARO Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science Tsukuba, Japan
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Hoedt EC, Cuív PÓ, Evans PN, Smith WJM, McSweeney CS, Denman SE, Morrison M. Differences down-under: alcohol-fueled methanogenesis by archaea present in Australian macropodids. ISME JOURNAL 2016; 10:2376-88. [PMID: 27022996 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2016.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The Australian macropodids (kangaroos and wallabies) possess a distinctive foregut microbiota that contributes to their reduced methane emissions. However, methanogenic archaea are present within the macropodid foregut, although there is scant understanding of these microbes. Here, an isolate taxonomically assigned to the Methanosphaera genus (Methanosphaera sp. WGK6) was recovered from the anterior sacciform forestomach contents of a Western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus). Like the human gut isolate Methanosphaera stadtmanae DSMZ 3091(T), strain WGK6 is a methylotroph with no capacity for autotrophic growth. In contrast, though with the human isolate, strain WGK6 was found to utilize ethanol to support growth, but principally as a source of reducing power. Both the WGK6 and DSMZ 3091(T) genomes are very similar in terms of their size, synteny and G:C content. However, the WGK6 genome was found to encode contiguous genes encoding putative alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases, which are absent from the DSMZ 3091(T) genome. Interestingly, homologs of these genes are present in the genomes for several other members of the Methanobacteriales. In WGK6, these genes are cotranscribed under both growth conditions, and we propose the two genes provide a plausible explanation for the ability of WGK6 to utilize ethanol for methanol reduction to methane. Furthermore, our in vitro studies suggest that ethanol supports a greater cell yield per mol of methane formed compared to hydrogen-dependent growth. Taken together, this expansion in metabolic versatility can explain the persistence of these archaea in the kangaroo foregut, and their abundance in these 'low-methane-emitting' herbivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Hoedt
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Páraic Ó Cuív
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute (TRI), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Paul N Evans
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Wendy J M Smith
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Chris S McSweeney
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Stuart E Denman
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark Morrison
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute (TRI), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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24
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Yang CL, Guan LL, Liu JX, Wang JK. Rumen fermentation and acetogen population changes in response to an exogenous acetogen TWA4 strain and Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2015; 16:709-19. [PMID: 26238546 PMCID: PMC4534548 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b1500013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The presence of yeast cells could stimulate hydrogen utilization of acetogens and enhance acetogenesis. To understand the roles of acetogens in rumen fermentation, an in vitro rumen fermentation experiment was conducted with addition of acetogen strain (TWA4) and/or Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (XP). A 2×2 factorial design with two levels of TWA4 (0 or 2×10(7) cells/ml) and XP (0 or 2 g/L) was performed. Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were increased (P<0.05) in XP and TWA4XP, while methane was increased only in TWA4XP (P<0.05). The increase rate of microorganisms with formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase, especially acetogens, was higher than that of methanogens under all treatments. Lachnospiraceae was predominant in all acetogen communities, but without close acetyl-CoA synthase (ACS) amino acid sequences from cultured isolates. Low-Acetitomaculum ruminis-like ACS was predominant in all acetogen communities, while four unique phylotypes in XP treatment were all amino acid identified low-Eubacterium limosum-like acetogens. It differs to XP treatment that more low-A. ruminis-like and less low-E. limosum-like sequences were identified in TWA4 and TWA4XP treatments. Enhancing acetogenesis by supplementation with an acetogen strain and/or yeast cells may be an approach to mitigate methane, by targeting proper acetogens such as uncultured low-E. limosum-like acetogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-lei Yang
- Institute of Dairy Science, MoE Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Le-luo Guan
- Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2P5, Canada
| | - Jian-xin Liu
- Institute of Dairy Science, MoE Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jia-kun Wang
- Institute of Dairy Science, MoE Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China;
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25
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Gagen EJ, Padmanabha J, Denman SE, McSweeney CS. Hydrogenotrophic culture enrichment reveals rumenLachnospiraceaeandRuminococcaceaeacetogens and hydrogen-responsiveBacteroidetesfrom pasture-fed cattle. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2015; 362:fnv104. [DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnv104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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