Effect of Methionine Hydroxy Analog on Bacterial Protein Synthesis from Urea and Glucose, Starch or Cellulose by Rumen Microbes, In vitro

Summary

IN VITRO fermentation trials with mixed populations of rumen bacteria and utilizing urea as source of N demonstrated that when glucose or cellulose were used as substrate, MHA or DL-methionine accelerated bacterial nitrogen incorporation and concurrent substrate digestion rate. Inorganic sulfate was as effective as MHA and DL-methionine in stimulating bacterial protein production only when fermentation was prolonged beyond 18 hr. with starch and 24 hr. with cellulose. During shorter fermentation periods prior to reaching the maximum bacterial growth capacity of the in vitro system, MHA and DL-methionine had significantly greater stimulatory action than inorganic sulfate. At 18 hr. of fermentation, MHA supported more starch digestion than DL-methionine or sulfate.

© American Society of Animal Science 1973