Synbiotic Formulation Combining Buffalo Rumen Microbiota and Prebiotics Promotes the Growth of Rumen Bacteria

Abstract

Young ruminants after weaning have low rumen microbial activity, which reduces their ability to digest fibrous feed efficiently. Synbiotics, combining probiotics and prebiotics, can improve rumen fermentation by increasing beneficial microbial populations. Buffalo rumen fluid is a rich source of cellulolytic bacteria, while wheat, banana, and garlic provide fermentable substrates such as inulin and oligosaccharides that support microbial growth. This study evaluates their combined effect on rumen bacteria growth and feed digestibility in vitro. This study examined the digestibility, fermentability of feed, and total bacterial count in vitro to determine the optimal prebiotic for buffalo rumen microbial probiotics. The prebiotics tested consisted of wheat, banana, and garlic. The experimental design used was a completely randomized design consisting of four treatments and five replications. The treatments tested were P0 = buffalo rumen fluid microorganisms, P1 = buffalo rumen microbes + 1% whole wheat, P2 = buffalo rumen microbes + 0.5% whole wheat and 0.5% banana, and P3 = buffalo rumen microbes + 0.5% whole wheat and 0.5% garlic. The inoculum source was rumen fluid from two slaughtered and homogenized buffaloes. The results showed that the prebiotic combination treatment significantly affected NH3 production, VFA, total bacteria, crude fiber digestibility, and free nitrogen extract digestibility (P<0.5%). The highest VFA production and crude fiber digestibility were found in the whole wheat and garlic prebiotic treatment, at 144 mM and 66.94%, respectively. The highest results for total bacteria and free nitrogen extract digestibility were found in the whole wheat and banana prebiotic treatment, at 74.07% and 2.9×105 CFU/ml, respectively.  In conclusion, the addition of a 1% wheat and banana prebiotic combination can increase the growth of rumen bacteria and the digestibility of free nitrogen extract. Meanwhile, the combination of 1% wheat and garlic prebiotic treatment has a good effect on VFA production and crude fiber digestibility.