Effect of biochanin A on corn grain (Zea mays) fermentation by bovine rumen amylolytic bacteria

Abstract

BCA could serve as an effective mitigation strategy for rumen acidosis. Future research is needed to evaluate the effect of BCA on mitigating rumen acidosis in vivo.

Biochanin A improves fibre fermentation by cellulolytic bacteria

“…The results of this study are consistent with a previous study that reported improvements in fibre digestibility with starch challenge when BCA treatment was added ex vivo (Harlow et al . ). These findings were primarily attributed to BCA addition ameliorating suspension pH decline and consequently increasing the viable number of cellulolytic bacteria.…”

“…; Harlow et al . ). Many native rumen cellulolytic bacteria have the capacity for allelopathic competition via the production of bacteriocins or other antimicrobial molecules (Odenyo et al .…”

“…In addition to BCA having direct antimicrobial activity, previous studies have also demonstrated that BCA can increase the potency of other antimicrobial compounds, including bacteriocins in the rumen (Morel et al 2003;Lechner et al 2008;Liu et al 2011;Flythe et al 2013;Harlow et al 2017a). Many native rumen cellulolytic bacteria have the capacity for allelopathic competition via the production of bacteriocins or other antimicrobial molecules (Odenyo et al 1994;Fondevila and Dehority 1996;Chen and Weimer 2001;Chen et al 2004).…”

“…BCA addition increased the viable number of cellulolytic bacteria and consequently improved fermentative activity with starch challenge ex vivo (Harlow et al 2017a). Although this result was primarily attributed to amelioration of suspension pH decline, it is also possible that BCA could directly impact cellulolytic bacteria and activity by influencing allelopathic competition.…”

“…Some plants, including several forage species, produce antimicrobial secondary metabolites that can improve rumen fermentation (Evans and Martin 2000;Benchaar et al 2006;Flythe 2009;Flythe and Kagan 2010). Biochanin A (BCA), an isoflavone produced by many legumes including red clover (Trifolium pratense), has been shown to have selective antimicrobial activity against hyperammonia-producing bacteria and amylolytic bacteria in the rumen in vitro and ex vivo (Flythe and Kagan 2010;Flythe et al 2013;Harlow et al 2017aHarlow et al , 2017b. BCA potentiates the activity of antimicrobials (Morel et al 2003;Lechner et al 2008;Liu et al 2011), and the selective inhibition of rumen bacteria has been attributed to potentiation of native rumen antimicrobials including bacteriocins (Flythe et al 2013;Harlow et al 2017a).…”