Degradation of Rice Straw by Rumen Fungi and Cellulolytic Bacteria through Mono-, Co- or Sequential- Cultures

Two strains of rumen fungi (Piromyces rhizinflata B157, Orpinomyces joyonii SG4) and three strains of rumen cellulolytic bacteria (Ruminococcus albus B199, Ruminococcus flavefaciens FD1 and Fibrobacter succinogenes S85) were used as mono-cultures or combinationally arranged as co- and sequential-cultures to assess the relative contributions and interactions between rumen fungi and cellulolytic bacteria on rice straw degradation. The rates of dry matter degradation of co-cultures were similar to those of corresponding bacterial mono-cultures. Compared to corresponding sequential-cultures, the degradation of rice straw was reduced in all co-cultures (P<0.01). Regardless of the microbial species, the cellulolytic bacteria seemed to inhibit the degradation of rice straw by rumen fungi. The high efficiency of fungal cellulolysis seems to affect bacterial degradation rates.