Rumen microflora, fermentation pattern and microbial enzyme activity in sheep fed paddy straw based complete feed fortified with probiotics

The use of probiotics for farm animals has increased considerably over the last 25 years. The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of probiotics (Saccharomyces cerevisiae 2 x 10(10) cfu/g + Lactobacillus acidophilus 6 x 10(9) cfu/g) on the rumen microflora, fermentation pattern and the enzyme activity. A 90 day feeding trial was conducted in the Corriedale sheep which were fed paddy straw based complete feed mixed with probiotics (Saccharomyces cerevisiae 2 x 10(10) cfu/g + Lactobacillus acidophilus 6 x 10(9) cfu/g). The complete feed without probiotics served as a control. The real-time PCR allowed us to observe the changes in the number of rumen microbes. The mean values of total bacterial, fibrolytic bacteria, fungi and protozoa count irrespective of period were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in probiotic mix supplemented group than in non-supplemented group. With respect to fermentation pattern, Rumen pH, TVFA, total nitrogen and TCA perceptible nitrogen were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in probiotic supplemented group than non-supplemented group. The enzyme activity viz., carboxymethyl cellulose, xylanase, amylase, glucosidase, acetyl esterase and protease were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in probiotic mix supplemented group as compared to non-supplemented group. This study contributes to understand the positive impact of probiotics on rumen microbial count, rumen fermentation parameters and the enzyme activity.