Dietary selection of metabolically distinct microorganisms drives hydrogen metabolism in ruminants.

ABSTRACT: Ruminants are important for global food security but emit the greenhouse gas methane. Rumen microorganisms break down complex carbohydrates to produce volatile fatty acids and molecular hydrogen. This hydrogen is mainly converted into methane by archaea, but can also be used by hydrogenotrophic acetogenic and respiratory bacteria to produce useful metabolites. A better mechanistic understanding is needed on how dietary carbohydrates influence hydrogen metabolism and methanogenesis. We profiled the composition, metabolic pathways, and activities of rumen microbiota in 24 beef cattle adapted to either fiber-rich or starch-rich diets. The fiber-rich diet selected for fibrolytic bacteria and methanogens resulting in increased fiber utilization, while the starch-rich diet selected for amylolyti

SUBMITTER: Li QS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9562222 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature