The effect of live bacterial culture on ruminants

      Live bacterial cultures mainly include live yeast cultures (such as brewing yeast) and direct feed microorganisms (such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Clostridium butyricum, etc.). Its core value lies in regulating rumen microbiota, improving fermentation efficiency, enhancing production performance and animal health.

1、 Improve rumen fermentation

      Under heat stress conditions, feeding goats with a co culture of brewing yeast and red yeast (SRC) at 1.00% to 2.00% significantly increased rumen pH, short chain fatty acid concentration, and cellulase activity (P<0.05).

      In vitro fermentation experiments, the addition of Bacillus subtilis can significantly increase the total volatile fatty acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid content, reduce the acetic acid/propionic acid ratio, and shift the fermentation type to propionic acid type (beneficial for energy utilization). When adding 375-1125 million CFU/mL, the cellulose digestion rate is significantly improved.

      Adding 0.4% DM to the diet of sheep in Aspergillus oryzae culture significantly increased the content of acetic acid and total volatile fatty acids, as well as the degradation rates of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and acidic detergent fiber (P<0.05).

2、 Improve production performance

      The addition of 1.00% SRC group to heat stressed goats significantly increased dry matter intake, average daily weight gain, dry matter and fiber digestibility (P<0.05), and significantly reduced malondialdehyde concentration. The recommended addition amount is 1.00% of the dry matter in the diet.

      Weaned lambs using a combination of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, and Escherichia coli (1:1:1) showed an average daily weight gain increase of 12.08% from day 1 to 60, a decrease in diarrhea rate of 11.36%, a significant reduction in Escherichia coli and Salmonella (P<0.05), and a significant increase in Lactobacillus (P<0.05). At the same time, the emissions of nitrogen and phosphorus from manure will be reduced by 15% to 20%.

      Adding Bacillus licheniformis and its complex bacteria with Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus plantarum to the diet of reserve cattle can increase the average daily weight gain and body mass index at 0-8 weeks of age, and increase the number of rumen fiber degrading bacteria.

      Adding yeast culture to Holstein cows for 42 days during mid lactation increased milk production by 12.8% (P<0.05), and significantly increased milk protein content, lactose content, non fat solids content, and milk density by 8.2%, 6.8%, 7.9%, and 11.7%, respectively (P<0.01).

3、 Enhance immunity and intestinal health

      Feeding Holstein calves with Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis before weaning resulted in a significant increase in serum IgG at 56 days of age (P<0.05), an increasing trend in dry matter and crude protein digestibility, and a decrease in the number of days with abnormal feces.

      Compound probiotics (added 2g/head) significantly increased the levels of IgA, IgG, and IL-2 in calves (P<0.05), while IL-10 increased and IL-6 decreased (P<0.05), indicating anti-inflammatory regulatory ability.

      The incidence rate of diarrhea and colds of the calves fed with the residue of Cordyceps sinensis mycelium fermentation culture for 83 days was lower than that of the control group, and the beta diversity of intestinal microorganisms was significantly different (P<0.05).

4、 The unique function of Clostridium butyricum

      Clostridium butyricum produces butyric acid, which directly supplies energy to colonic epithelial cells, promotes intestinal epithelial proliferation and repair, upregulates tight junction proteins, and strengthens the intestinal barrier. In ruminants, rumen fermentation can be optimized to increase total volatile fatty acids and fiber digestibility, and promote the proliferation of fiber degrading bacteria. Its spore structure has strong tolerance and can stably pass through feed processing and gastrointestinal tract.

5、 Attention to use

      The dosage and effect are not always linearly related, and it is necessary to determine the appropriate dosage for specific strains (such as Bacillus subtilis 375-1125 million CFU/mL is preferred, and excessive dosage may lead to saturation).

      There is often a synergistic effect between different strains, and composite bacteria (Bacillus licheniformis+Bacillus subtilis+Lactobacillus) are superior to single bacteria in certain indicators.

      Animal species, age, and feeding conditions (especially heat stress) can significantly affect the effectiveness, and practical verification is necessary when applying them.

Summary

      Live bacterial cultures improve the rumen environment by regulating rumen pH, increasing volatile fatty acid production, promoting fiber digestion, and enhancing rumen environment; Improve production efficiency by increasing daily weight gain, feed conversion rate, and milk production; Improve animal health by enhancing immunoglobulin, reducing diarrhea rate, and alleviating oxidative stress. Different types of bacterial strains (live yeast, Bacillus, Clostridium butyricum) have their own specific pathways of action, which collectively lead to the systematic optimization of rumen microbiota. This is the core value of this type of additive.