본 연구의 목적은 organic acids를 첨가하여 in vitro 상의 반추위 발효성상과 반추위 내 메탄 억제에 미치는 영향에 대한 효과를 알아보고자 하였다. 반추위액은 순천대학교 부속목장의 반추위 cannula가 시술된 Holstein에서 채취하였고, organic acids는 반추위액과 버퍼의 혼합액에 첨가하여 배양하였다. 그 결과 pH 값은 lactic acid, malic acid 및 succinic acid첨가구에서 6.69에서 6.16 정도로, 대조구와 다른 첨가구보다 낮았다. 총 가스 발생량은 배양 48시간에 aspartic acid, malic acid 및 succinic acid첨가구에서 유의적(p<0.05)으로 높았고, 메탄 발생량은 lactic acid 첨가구에서 대조구보다 낮았다. 총 VFA와 propionic acid의 농도는 배양 12시간에 모든 첨가구가 대조구에 비해 높았다. 반추위 미생물 측정 결과에서는 Fumaric acid와 malic acid의 bacteria수가 대조구에 비해 유의적으로 증가하였으며(p<0.05), protozoa수는 유의적(p<0.05)으로 감소되었다. 이상의 실험 결과를 종합해 보면, organic acids의 첨가는 반추위 내 pH를 감소시키고 가스 발생량, 반추위 미생물 성장량 및 propionic acid 모두 증가시켰으며, 특히 lactic acid는 메탄생성을 억제하였다. 앞으로 Organic acid와 다른 메탄억제 물질과 혼합하여 반추위 내 메탄생성 억제에 관한 구체적인 연구가 필요한 것으로 사료된다.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of organic acids on methane emission and ruminal fermentation characteristics. We expected our methodology to result in a decrease of methanogens attached to the surface of rumen ciliate protozoa by addition of organic acids and in particular a decrease in methane emission. A fistulated Holstein cow of 650 kg body weight was used as a donor of rumen fluid. Organic acids (aspartic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, and succinic acid) known to be propionate enhancers were added to an in vitro fermentation system and incubated with rumen fluid. The microbial population, including bacteria, protozoa, and fungi, were enumerated, and gas production, including methane and fermentation characteristics, were observed in vitro. Organic acids appeared to affect the rumen protozoan community. The rumen protozoal popuation decreased with the addition of aspartic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, and malic acid. In particular, the methane emission was reduced by addition of lactic acid. The concentration of propionate with all organic acids that were added appeared to be higher than that of the control at 12 h incubation. Addition of organic acids significantly affected rumen bacteria and microbial growth. The bacteria in added fumaric acid and malic acid was significantly higher (p<0.05) and protozoa was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of the control. Microbial growth with the addition of organic acids was greater than the control after 48 h incubation.
