HUMAN NUTRITION

Detailed explanation-1: -Rumen microbes digest simple and complex carbohydrates (fiber) and convert them into VFAs. VFAs mainly consist of acetic, propionic and butyric acids and provide 50 to 70 percent of the cow’s energy, see figure 1. Diet can affect the amounts of each VFA microbes produce.

Detailed explanation-2: -Rumen microbes are the major source of protein in the cow’s diet. They break down Rumen Degradable Protein (RDP) to amino acids, then ammonia. Ammonia is a major source of nitrogen for microbial growth. The microbes also convert non-protein nitrogen to ammonia.

Detailed explanation-3: -Ruminant animals can digest fibre via microbial fermentation to obtain useful energy needed for various biological functions. In dairy cows, dietary fibre improves milk fat by increasing the amount of rumen acetate which acts as a precursor of milk fat synthesis.

Detailed explanation-4: -Breakdown of complex plant fibers is initiated by degradative enzymes of rumen microbes, including enzymes capable of degrading cellulose, xylan (hemicellulose), and pectin.

Detailed explanation-5: -Several livestock species have the ability to digest fiber via microbial fermentation and to obtain useful energy from this process. However, in ruminants, fermentation of fiber occurs prior to the small intestine (Figure 1).