• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.489-496
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• 2011

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of stocking density on the eating and ruminating behavior of growing Hanwoo steer (Bos taurus coreanae). A total of thirty growing Hanwoo steers were divided into four stocking density groups (G1: 1 head/32 $m^2$, G2: 2 heads/32 $m^2$, G3: 3 heads /32 $m^2$, G4: 4 heads/32 $m^2$) with 3 replicates (12 pens). The results of eating behaviors for 48 hours are summarized as follows: Total intake was higher in 2G, 3G and 4G than in 1G, but not significantly different among thetreatments. Intake of roughage was the highest in 2G (3.32 kg), while 1G (2.85 kg) was the lowest (P<0.05). Eating time of concentrate was highly in the order of 1G > 2G > 3G > 4G (P<0.05). But eating time (concentrate + roughage) and ruminating time were not significantly difference among the treatments. Resting time (standing + lying) was the highest in 4G (P<0.01), and lying time was the highest in 2G. Chewing time (Eating + ruminating) was higher in 3G than in 1G, 2G, and 4G (P<0.05). Number of bolus, number of total chews, ruminating time per bolus and number of bolus per minute were not significantly difference among the treatments. But number of chews per bolus was significantly lower in 1G than those of the other treatments (p<(0.05). Number of urinating was in the order of 1G > 4G > 2G > 3G (P<0.05). However, stocking density had no effect on drinking and defecating. Eating rate and chewing efficiency were the highest in 4G (P<0.01, 0.05), but ruminating efficiency was not significantly difference among the treatments.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1187-1193
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• 2012

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of halogenated compounds on in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics and methane emissions. A fistulated Holstein cow of 650 kg body weight was used as a donor of rumen fluid. Five kinds of halogenated compounds (bromochloromethane (BCM), 2-bromoethane sulfonic acid (BES), 3-bromopropanesulfonic acid (BPS), chloroform (CLF), and pyromellitic diimide (PMDI) known to inhibit methyl-coenzyme M reductase activity were added to an in vitro fermentation incubated with rumen fluid. The microbial population including bacteria, protozoa, and fungi were enumerated, and gas production including methane and fermentation characteristics were observed in vitro. The pH values ranged from 6.25 to 6.72 in all the treatments, and these showed a similar level at 48 hr. The total gas production in the treatments showed a similar pattern with C at 48 hr, whereas methane production in the treatments was lower (p<0.05) than C. Concentrations of total volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and propionic acid were higher (p<0.05) in the treatments than in C at 12 hr. Therefore, halogenated compounds (BCM, BES, BPS, CLF, and PMDI) inhibited in vitro methane emissions by inhibiting methanogens in the rumen. Further studies on safety are needed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1324-1329
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of organic acids on methane emission and ruminal fermentation characteristics. We expected our methodology to result in a decrease of methanogens attached to the surface of rumen ciliate protozoa by addition of organic acids and in particular a decrease in methane emission. A fistulated Holstein cow of 650 kg body weight was used as a donor of rumen fluid. Organic acids (aspartic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, and succinic acid) known to be propionate enhancers were added to an in vitro fermentation system and incubated with rumen fluid. The microbial population, including bacteria, protozoa, and fungi, were enumerated, and gas production, including methane and fermentation characteristics, were observed in vitro. Organic acids appeared to affect the rumen protozoan community. The rumen protozoal popuation decreased with the addition of aspartic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, and malic acid. In particular, the methane emission was reduced by addition of lactic acid. The concentration of propionate with all organic acids that were added appeared to be higher than that of the control at 12 h incubation. Addition of organic acids significantly affected rumen bacteria and microbial growth. The bacteria in added fumaric acid and malic acid was significantly higher (p<0.05) and protozoa was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of the control. Microbial growth with the addition of organic acids was greater than the control after 48 h incubation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.647-656
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• 2007

In order to investigate the effects of supplemental ionic surfactants in in vitro ruminal fermentation, N-Lauroylsarcosine sodium salt(N-LSS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS) for negative(－) ionic surfactant, and hexadecylpyridinium chloride monohydrate(HPCM) and hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide(HTAB) for positive (+) ionic surfactant were supplemented by 0.05% and 0.1% into the Dehority’s artificial medium containing rice straw(1mm) as a substrate. In vitro DM digestibility, the growth of rumen mixed microbes, pH, cumulative gas production and SEM(Scanning Electron Microscopy) observation of microbial attachment on rice straw particle were investigated through the experiment composing 9 treatments (two supplemental levels of two positive ionic(+) surfactant, two supplemental levels of two negative(－) ionic surfactant) including the control. The sample collection was at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h post fermentation with 3 replications per treatments. DM digestibility in treatments supplemented (+) or (－) surfactants almost stopped afterward 12 h fermentation, in vitro DM digestibility at 72 h post fermentation in the ionic surfactants was at half level of that of the control(P<0.05). Accumulative gas production in in vitro was less(P<0.05) with addition of ionic surfactants compared to the control. The amount of rumen mixed microbes recovered from in vitro incubation fluid pleateaued at 12 h post fermentation for the positive (+) ionic surfactants, but steadily increased as fermentation time elapsed for the control. Rumen microbial growth rate was significantly(P<0.05) low in the negative(－) ionic surfactant compared to the control. pH of the incubation fluid was ranged from 6.02 to 7.20, and was the highest in the negative(－) ionic surfactants, and was the lowest in the control(P<0.05). In SEM observation, rumen microbial population attached on rice straw particle was less with addition of ionic surfactants than the control. In conclusion we could not found any positive effects of negative- and positive- charged surfactants on rumunal fermentation characteristics and rumen microbial growth rates.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.335-340
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• 2012

During the manufacturing process of chestnut, 50% of biomass is produced as chestnut shell (CS) or chestnut hull (CH), a forestry by-product. Due to its high fiber content and economic benefit, there is a possibility of using chestnut hull as a supplement for a ruminant diet. Few studies, however, have been conducted on evaluating nutritive value of chestnut hull for ruminant animals. The objective of this study were thus to analyze chemical composition of CS, a by-product after the first processing of chestnut, and CH, a by-product after the second processing, and access in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics of them. For the in vitro fermentation using strained rumen fluid obtained from a fistulated Hanwoo steer, commercial total mixed ration (TMR) for dairy goat was used as a basal diet and was replaced with different proportions of chestnut shell and hull. A total number of 13 treatments were carried out in this study: 100% TMR, 100% CS, 100% CH, a mix with 50% CS and 50% of CH (MIX), TMR replaced with 5%, 10%, or 15% of CS, CH, or MIX, respectively. For each treatment, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and pH after 48 hours of rumen fermentation were measured. Gas production at 6, 12, 24, 48 hours of incubation was also analyzed. Compared to CH, CS contains higher level of fiber (NDF, ADF, lignin) and consequently has a lower amount of non-fiber carbohydrate, but no difference was observed in the other nutrients (i.e. crude protein, crude fat, and ash). IVDMD was significantly (p<0.05) the highest in 100% CH (71.97%) and the lowest in 100% CS (42.80%). Addition of CH by replacing TMR did not affect IVDMD, while an increase in the proportion of CS tended to decrease IVDMD. The total gas production after 48 hours of incubation and the rate of gas production were also the highest in 100% CH and the lowest in 100% CS (P<0.05). Likewise, the pH after 48 hours of fermentation was significantly (p<0.05) the lowest in 100% CH (6.33) and the highest in 100% CS (6.50), and no significant difference in gas production was observed when TMR was replaced with CS or CH up to 15% (P>0.05). In conclusion, CH may successfully be used for a supplement in a ruminant diet. The nutritive value of CS is relative low, but can replace, if not 100%, low quality forage. This study provides valuable information about the nutritive value of CS and CH. An in vivo trials, however, is needed for conclusively accessing the nutritive value of CS and CH.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.757-768
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• 2002

These study were conducted to determine the effects of a whole or steam-flaked corn based diet on rumen microbial fermentation in vitro and ruminal metabolism in the Korean Native Goat(KNG) in vivo. The experiments consisted of two dietary treatments: control, steam-flaked corn(SFC) based diet(80%) + rice straw mixed(20%)(SFCR); 100% whole corn based diet(WC). The first experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of whole corn on ruminal metabolism in vitro for 0 to 48 h. pH values were optimally maintained during incubation time, and were not significantly different between treatments. Gas production of SFCR was significantly higher than WC(p<0.01). $NH_3$-N concentration tended to increase for WC, but not significantly different between treatments. The mean value of total volatile fatty acid concentration of WC was significantly lower than SFCR(p<0.01), but SFCR and WC linearly increased as the time of incubation approached 48 h. Mean value of acetate concentration of SFCR was significantly higher than WC(p<0.01). Propionate concentration of WC for the total incubation time was significantly higher than SFCR(p<0.01). The digestibility of dry matter was not significantly different between treatments, but SFCR was somewhat higher than WC. The second experiment was conducted to effect of whole shelled corn based diet on rumen metabolism in KNG. pH values tended to decrease through all treatments. There was not a significantly difference between treatments. Microbial protein yield of SFCR was significantly higher than WC(p<0.01). $NH_3$-N concentration of WC was significantly (p<0.01) higher than SFCR. Total VFA and propionate concentration of WC was significantly higher than SFCR(p<0.01), but acetate concentrate of WC was not significantly higher than SFCR. The mean value of total lactate concentration was significantly(p<0.01) different but the value of SFCR and WC were lower than the average concentration of acidosis. In sacco DM disappearance rate of SFC was significantly(p<0.01) higher than WC.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.759-768
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• 2005

The study was designed to estimate the in vitro rumen by-pass rate of both chromium methionine chelate as an organic supplement and $ClCl_3$ as an inorganic supplement. Rumen by-pass rates of the supplements were evaluted by comparing ruminal metabolites in rumen fluid and Cr and methionine contents in the body of ruminal microorganism. For in vitro digestion examination, basic nutrients for ruminal microbes were supplied with 7g(DM) of feed, 2g of rice straw, and 2g of corn silage per each incubation jar. Three treatments including Control(no supplementation of Cr), T1(1000ppb supplementation of $ClCl_3$) and T2(chromium methionine chelate supplementation equivalent to 1000ppb of Cr content) were prepared with five replications per each treatment. pH of T2 was lower than that of Control and T1 regardless of incubation time. Ammonia content was higher in T2 than in Control and T1 during first 6 hours of incubation. However, the ammonia content in Control was remained low after 6 hours. Total volatile fatty acids(VFA) content in control was increased constantly as incubation time was extended. Therefore, VFA content in T1 and T2 were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of Control. Dry matter recovery rate by ruminal microorganism was the lowest in T1, however ruminal microbial population was increased most efficiently in T2 during 12 hours of in vitro incubation. Cr concentrations in the body of ruminal microbes were not different(P>0.05) between Control and T2, but it was significantly high in T1(P<0.05). Contents of methionine and cystine in ruminal microbes also were not different between Control and T2(P>0.05), but it was relatively low in T1. Based on the above results, the chromium methionine chelate was believed to by-pass rumen and could remain intact until it reaches small intestine compared to inorganic chromium. This results implies that chromium methionine chelate could be more effective to function in the small intestine of ruminant animals.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.625-634
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• 2004

The objective of this experiment is to study the possibility of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) enzyme to prevent lactate accumulation in the rumen, For understanding capacity of bacterial LDH in rumen environments, this study was conducted to explore the effects of temperature, pH, VFAs and metal ions on Lactobacillus sp. FFy111-1's LDH activity, and the LDH activation in rumen fluid accumulated lactate. The optimum pH and temperature of LDH were pH 7.5 and 40$^{\circ}C$, respectively. The LDH activity had a good thennostability at range from 30 to 50$^{\circ}C$. The highest pH stability of the enzyme was at ranges from pH 7.0 to 8.0 and the enzyme activities showed above 64% level of non-treated one at pH 6.0 and 6.5. The LDH was inactivated by VFAs treatments but was enhanced by metal ion treatments without NaCl and $CuSO_4$ Especially, the LDH activity was increased to 127% and 124% of its original activity by 2 mM of $BaCl_2$ and $MnSO_4$, addition, respectively. When the acidic rumen fluid was treated by LDH enzyme of Lactobacillus sp. FFy111-1, the lactate concentration in the rumen fluid was lower compared with non-treated rumen fluid(P<0.05). This lactate reduction was resulted from an action of LDH. It was proved by result of purified D,L-LDH addition that showed the lowest lactate concentration among the treatments(P<0.05). Although further investigation of microbial LDH and ruminal lactate is needed, these findings suggest that the bacterial LDH has the potential capability to decrease the lactate accumulated in an acidic rumen fluid. Also, screening of super LDH producing bacteria and technical development for improving enzyme activity in rumen environment are essential keys for practical application.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.147-154
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• 2011

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of saponin contained plant extracts on in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics and methane production. Ruminal fluid was collected from rumen cannulated Hanwoo steers fed rice straw and concentrate (5:5). Collected rumen fluids, corn starch and buffer including saponin contained plant extracts (ginseng, Ogapi, soapwort, tea plant and yucca; 0.5%/15 ml) were incubated at $39^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. All incubations were repeated five times. Rumen pH in all treatments was lower (p<0.05) compared with that of the control (no addition) during incubation time. The concentration of total VFA in all treatments was higher (p<0.05) than that of the control after 12h incubation. Compared with the control, the concentration of acetate and propionate in all treatments was lower and higher after 6h incubation, respectively. The concentration of $NH_3$-N in all treatments was lower (p<0.05) than that of the control except for Ogapi or yucca extracts supplementation. The number of protozoa in all treatments was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of the control except for soapwort extract supplementation. The total gas production and methane production in all treatments was higher (p<0.05) and lower (p<0.05) compared with the control, except for ogapi or soapwort extracts supplementation after 12h incubation, respectively. Therefore, reduction in methane production by saponins may could be results from decreased protozoal population without any negative in vitro fermentation.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.188-205
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• 1996

This study was conducted to examine the effects of dietary energy and protein sources on the rumen microbial population of sheep. The results obtained were summarized as the follows; 1. Ruminal pH was highest in sheep fed the diet rapidly degraded in the rumen(F-F) as a energy (barley plus beet pulp) and protein source (rapeseed meal), and lowest in the diet (F-S) of rapidly degradable energy source plus slowly degradable protein source (corn gluten meal + cotton seed meal) without affecting by postfeeding time. 2. Ruminal ammonia concentration was higher in corn (slowly degradable) for energy source and rapeseed meal (rapidly degradable) for protein source (S-F) than others, and abruptly increased at 1 hr after feeding regardless of treatments. 3. Concentration of ruminal total volatile fatty acid, acetate and propionate were highest in F-S and peaked at 1 hr after feeding firstly and formed second peak at 9hrs, respectively. 4. Digestibilities of the proximates and ADF were not affected by treatment but NDF was highest in F- F. 5. Nitrogen retention was highest in S-F and lowest in F-F and F-S. 6. Digestibility and metabolizability of energy, contents of OCP, TDN, DE and ME were not affected by treatment.