The effect of a Bacillus probiotic and essential oils compared to an ionophore on the rumen microbiome composition of feedlot cattle

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Authors

Linde, Dina Alida
Schokker, Dirkjan
Du Toit, Cornelius Jacobus Lindeque
Ramkilawon, Gopika Devi
Van Marle-Koster, Este

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

MDPI

Abstract

The rising concern of antibiotic growth promoter use in livestock has necessitated the investigation into alternative feed additives. The effect of a probiotic and essential oils to an ionophore on the rumen microbiome composition of Bonsmara bulls raised under feedlot conditions was compared. Forty-eight Bonsmara weaners were allocated to four groups: a group with basal diet (CON) and three groups supplemented with monensin (MON), probiotic (PRO), and essential oils (EO). During the 120 days feeding period, rumen content was collected from four animals per group within each phase via a stomach tube for 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing as well as volatile fatty acid analysis. In the starter phase, MON had a significantly lower acetate to propionate ratio and a higher Succinivibrionaceae abundance. The abundance of Lachnospiraceae was significantly higher in EO compared to MON. In the finisher phase, PRO had a significantly higher bacterial diversity. The alpha diversity did not differ between the fungal populations of the groups. The abundance of Proteobacteria was the lowest in PRO compared to the other groups. Limited variation was observed between the rumen microbiome composition of monensin compared to the other treatment groups, indicating that these alternatives can be considered.

Description

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : Data were deposited in the Sequence Read Archive of the NCBI with the accession number PRJNA721531.
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS : TABLE S1: The relative abundance (in percentage) of the rumen bacteria/archaeal phyla and families of the control, essential oil, monensin, and probiotic groups in the starter, grower, and finisher phases, TABLE S2: The relative abundance (in percentage) of the rumen fungal phyla and families in the control, essential oils, monensin, and probiotic groups in the starter, grower, and finisher phases.

Keywords

Amplicon sequencing, Bonsmara, Feed additives, Intensive feeding, SDG-02: Zero hunger

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG-02:Zero Hunger

Citation

Linde, D.A.; Schokker, D.; du Toit, C.J.L.; Ramkilawon, G.D.; van Marle-Köster, E. The Effect of a Bacillus Probiotic and Essential Oils Compared to an Ionophore on the Rumen Microbiome Composition of Feedlot Cattle. Animals 2023, 13, 2927. https://DOI.org/10.3390/ani13182927.