Avaliação de métodos para estimar aderência de bactérias ruminais a partículas de forragens

Abstract

In vitro assays were conducted to evaluate the use of potential markers of bacterial adherence to particles of forage, in which samples of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), Cynodon spp., alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and perennial peanut (Arachis pintoi) were incubated for 24 hours. In the residue of incubation were analyzed the digestibility of dry matter and concentrations of markers of adherence: N15, purines, phosphorus (P) and enzymatic activity and its variables. Incubations were performed to evaluate the degree of phosphorus solubilization from the forage samples over 24 hours and samples of ruminal digesta were collected in order to isolate rumen bacteria and analyzing the chemical composition of the liquid phase associated bacteria (LAB) and bacteria adhered to particle (BAP). It was also assessed whether methylcellulose, used in the extraction of the BAP process, interfere with the chemical composition of bacteria extracted. Data were analyzed using a model that included the type of sample or bacteria as a block (randomized blocks). The results of the solubility test indicated that at the first 3 hours of incubation the concentration of phosphorus in the samples dropped sharply and thereafter tended to remain constant. There was difference (P <0.05) in the chemical composition of the BAP and BAL in relation to concentration of nitrogen, purine, DAPA and phosphorus. The data obtained from the trials evaluating the effect of methylcellulose on the chemical composition of bacteria associated with the liquid phase showed that the levels of nitrogen and purine when expressed in proportion of organic matter were not affected by treatment with methylcellulose (P> 0.05). However, a difference was observed in relation to the content of P (P <0.05). No correlation was observed between digestibility and bacterial adhesion markers and between the markers indicated correlation between N15 and reducing sugars with the substrate carboxymethylcellulose (P = 0.001), and N15 with reducing sugars substrate xylan (P <0.0001). In conclusion, the chemical composition of the liquid phase bacteria associated differs from the adherent bacteria and particulate material in general was not affected by treatment with methylcellulose. The concentration of the tested markers showed no consistent correlation between themselves or with the degradability of forage samples. The exception was the relationship between N15 and enzymatic activity, indicating that the isotope was incorporated mainly in bacterial enzymatic proteins