• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.327-336
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• 1995

This study was carried out to develop the animal protein(feed for fry) that was isolated, purified and lyophilized the rumen ciliates from the healthy rumen contents which have $10^5-10^6/g$ ciliates and were discarded in abattoirs. The rumen ciliates are non-pathogenic, anaerobic and the weight of this protozoa is 2% of rumen content. The rumen protozoan and bacterial proteins both have a biological value for rats of 80-81, which is higher than the 72 of brewer's yeasts. Furthermore, the true digestibility and net protein utility of the protozoan protein are 91 and 73, much higher than those of bacterial(74 and 60) or yeast(84 and 60) proteins. The amino acids of rumen protozoa is nutritionally superior than the others. The size of rumen ciliates is $30-200{\times}20-110{\mu}m$ and so we had isolated and purified the rumen ciliates from the rumen contents by the physical methods. The purified rumen protozoa was lyophilized with freezing dryer. The results of this experiment were as follows : 1. Population dynamics of protozoan ciliates in slaughtered rumens; % of samples which small ciliates were predominated was 82.5%(52/63) and that of large ciliates was 17.5%(11/63). 1) predominant species of small ciliates were Entodinium ovinum and E nanellum. 2) predominant species of large ciliates were Epidinium ecaudatum and Diploplastron affine. 2. The lyophilized rumen ciliates which were isolated and purified from 1 kg of rumen content at the pH 6.2-6.8 was about 7.0 gram. 3. The nutrient analysis of lyophilized rqmen ciliates(LRC) was as follows: 1) Proximate analysis of the LRC and the composition of fry feed; moisture 8.05%(below 10.0), protein 35.37%(45), fat 5.39%(4.5), fiber 1.23%(below 2.5), ash 2.25%(below 15.0), Ca 0.26%(below 2.0), P 0.14%(below 1.1), energy 4,608.11(fish meal 5000 cal/g) 2) Amino acids (% in crude protein) of the LRC and the rotifer(Brachionus plicatilis); Arg 5.19%(4.50), His 2.50%(1.55), Ile 5.29%(3.45), Leu 8.11%(5.85), Lys 10.34%(6.15), Met 2.25% (0.85), Phe 5.66%(3.80), Thr 5.14% (3.45), Val 4.18%(3.90), Ala 4.13%(3.35), Asp 13.26%(8.25), Glu 16.62%(9.20), Gly 4.23%(3.10), Pro 3.25%(5.05), Ser 4.85%(3.85), Tyr 5.04%(3.05) 3) Fatty acids(% in fat) of the LRC and the rotifer(biological feed ; Brachionus plicatilis); myristic acid(C14:0) 3.27%(0.3), myristoleic acid(C14:1) 0.83%(-), palmitic acid(C16:0) 39.11% (23.5), palmitoleic acid(C16:1) 2.81%(2.0), stearic acid(C18:0) 9.36%(5.6), oleic acid(C18:1) 25.54%(3.5), linoleic acid(C18:2) 15.05%(32.9), linolenic acid(C18:3) 1.74%(9.8). Judging from the above investigated results, the analytical data of proximate analysis, amino acids, fatty acids of the purified and lyophilized rumen protozoa are reasonable for the feed of freshwater fishes(fry and fingerling). But it was disappointed of our expectation that the crude protein of lyophilized rumen ciliates contains low percentage, it was thought that because of the small ciliates(starch digester) in beef cattle rumens which were administered the concentrated feed, is much difficult to isolate and purify than the large ciliates(fiber digester).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1092-1100
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• 2010

Bacteria, fungi, and protozoa inhabiting the rumen, the largest chamber of the ruminants' stomach, release large quantities of hydrogen during the fermentation of carbohydrates. The hydrogen is used by coexisting methanogens to produce methane in energy-yielding processes. This work shows, for the first time, a fundamental possibility of using a hydrogen-rich fermentation gas produced by selected rumen ciliates to feed a low-temperature hydrogen fuel cell. A biohydrogen fuel cell (BHFC) was constructed consisting of (i) a bioreactor, in which a hydrogen-rich gas was produced from glucose by rumen ciliates, mainly of the Isotrichidae family, deprived of intra- and extracellular bacteria, methanogens, and fungi; and (ii) a chemical fuel cell of the polymer-electrolyte type (PEFC). The fuel cell was used as a tester of the technical applicability of the fermentation gas produced by the rumen ciliates for power generation. The average estimated hydrogen yield was ca. 1.15 mol $H_2$ per mole of fermented glucose. The BHFC performance was equal to the performance of the PEFC running on pure hydrogen. No fuel cell poisoning effects were detected. A maximum power density of $1.66\;kW/m^2$ (PEFC geometric area) was obtained at room temperature. The maximum volumetric power density was $128\;W/m^3$ but the coulombic efficiency was only ca. 3.8%. The configuration of the bioreactor limited the continuous operation time of this BHFC to ca. 14 h.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.1146-1156
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the effect of two plant additives, rich in polyphenolic compounds, supplemented to sheep diets on microorganisms and carbohydrate fermentation in rumen. Methods: In the experiment, 6 ewes of the Polish Mountain breed were fitted with ruminal cannulas. Sheep were divided into three feeding groups. The study was performed in a cross-over design of two animals in each group, with three experimental periods (n = 6 per each group). The animals were fed a control diet (CON) or additionally received 3 g of dry and milled lingonberry leaves (VVI) or oak bark (QUE). Additionally, plant material was analyzed for tannins concentration. Results: Regardless of sampling time, QUE diet increased the number of total protozoa, as well as Entodinium spp., Diplodinium spp. and Isotrichidae family, while decreased bacterial mass. In turn, a reduced number of Diplodinium spp. and increased Ophryoscolex spp. population were noted in VVI fed sheep. During whole sampling time (0, 2, 4, and 8 h), the number of protozoa in ruminal fluid of QUE sheep was gradually reduced as opposed to animals receiving CON and VVI diet, where rapid shifts in the protozoa number were observed. Moreover, supplementing sheep with QUE diet increased molar proportions of butyrate and isoacids in ruminal fluid. Unfortunately, none of the tested additives affected gas production. Conclusion: The addition of VVI or QUE in a small dose to sheep diets differently affected rumen microorganisms and fermentation parameters, probably because of various contribution of catechins in tested plant materials. However, it is stated that QUE diet seems to create more favorable conditions for growth and development of ciliates. Nonetheless, the results of the present study showed that VVI and QUE additives could serve as potential natural modulators of microorganism populations and, consequently, carbohydrate digestion in ruminants.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.15-27
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• 1990

Effects of oral administration of electrolyte solutions were studied in experimentally dehydrated adult sheep. By the latin square method five ruminal fistulated sheep were examined and dehydrated by deprivation of feed and water for 72 hours. Tap water, physiological saline, 0.45% NaCl+120 mM/L glucose and 0.9% NaCl+1% propylene glycol solution were orally administrated after dehydration, respectively. Rehydration effect and modification of the rumen function were compared. 1. After 72 hours of deprivation of feed and water, sheep were hypertonic dehydrated and blood acid-base parameters were not significantly changed. And there was marked increase in ruminal pH and decrease in ruminal total volatile fatty acid(VFA) concentration. 2. After the fluids administration the changes in blood acid-base parameters were not significant in all groups. 3. Although glucose fermentation in the rumen was observed, 0.45% NaCl+120 mM/L glucose was more effective in rehydration than physiological saline and tap water. But it was difficult to know the rehydration effect of 0.9% NaCl+1% propylene glycol solution exactly because of excessive increase in plasma osmolality. 4. After refeeding, total concentration and proportions of ruminal volatile fatty acid(VFA) were not significantly different among groups and recovered to normal concentration but not in proportions after 2 days in all groups. 5. In vitro cultured ruminal protozoa were susceptible to the decrease of the pH and osmolality.