Characteristics of microbial fermentation and potential digestibility of fiber in the hindgut of dugongs (Dugong dugon) |
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Authors: | Masakazu Goto Chisato Ito Mohammed Sani Yahaya Yoshihito Wakai Shiro Asano Yukari Oka |
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Affiliation: | 1. Faculty of Bioresources , Mie University , 1515 Kamihama-cho, Tsu 514-8507, Japan;2. Toba Aquarium , 3-3-6 Toba 517-8517, Japan |
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Abstract: | The number of microorganisms in the hindgut of dugongs (Dugong dugon) were estimated and their in vitro volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and degradation of eelgrass measured. Scanning electron microscopy showed that some rod bacteria attached to the surface of plant tissue degraded and eroded the cell walls. Number of starch-, lactate-, cellobiose-, pectin-, xylan- and cellulose-utilizing bacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria and methane-producing bacteria were estimated at 109 ~ 1010 colony forming units g?1. Microorganisms degraded the cellulose and noncellulolytic components of the eelgrass, and about 47.3% of dry matter was degraded after 36?h in vitro incubation. The total VFA concentration was 10.5?mmol?dL?1 at 36?h incubation, which included 55.7?mol% acetate, 18.0?mol% n-butyrate and 15.1?mol% propionate. The gas composition of in vitro fermentation was 68.4% carbon dioxide, 22.2% methane and 9.4% hydrogen. |
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Keywords: | Dugong Eelgrass Hindgut microorganisms In vitro degradability Volatile fatty acids |
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