Effect of mineral elements on some indices of vital activity of rumen microorganisms in cattle

A. V. Voltornistyy, L. S. Solohub, M. G. Herasymiv

The addition of mineral elements to the incubation medium has differently influenced growth and functional activity of bacteria and protozoa of rumen in cattle. Particularly, under the influence of sulphur, chromium and zinc the mass of microorganisms has increased, and the level of ammonium has decreased. On the production of volatile fatty acids in bacteria the stimulatory action has revealed sulphur and zinc, whereas in protozoa none of investigated elements has shown appreciable action. The addition to the incubation medium of iron, nickel and cobalt has had no apparent influence on growth and vital activity of microorganisms. It has been also shown, that rumen bacteria in conditions in vitro produce great amounts of methane. This process has been markedly suppressed by sulfate anions and activated by nickel.

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