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The Rumen Microbial Ecosystem pp 467–491Cite as

Microbe-microbe interactions

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Abstract

The previous chapters have shown that the rumen harbours a large number of different species of bacteria, phycomycete fungi and protozoa. Metabolic interactions between these different populations are essential for sustaining the microbial community and its collective activities. Products of the metabolism of some species of microorganisms are sources of energy for other species. Similarly, products of vitamin synthesis and nitrogen metabolism of some species become the sources of the vitamins and nitrogen compounds required by other microorganisms. The kinds and extents of these microbial interactions regulate the concentrations and activities of individual species and the qualitative and quantitative nature of the products of the fermentation of dietary substrates. Products that are used by, and are essential for, the ruminant include acetate, propionate and butyrate and the constituents of microbial cells. The amounts of CH4 and CO2 produced by the fermentation are determined by the same microbial interactions. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the major metabolic interactions that define the nature of the microbial community and its contributions to the host. Some of these interactions have, of necessity, been mentioned in connection with the topics of other chapters in the book.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center for Laboratories and Research, New York, Albany, USA

    M. J. Wolin & T. L. Miller

  2. Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, Bucksburn, UK

    C. S. Stewart

Authors
  1. M. J. Wolin
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  2. T. L. Miller
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  3. C. S. Stewart
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Aberdeen, UK

    P. N. Hobson

  2. The Nutrition Division, The Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, UK

    C. S. Stewart

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Wolin, M.J., Miller, T.L., Stewart, C.S. (1997). Microbe-microbe interactions. In: Hobson, P.N., Stewart, C.S. (eds) The Rumen Microbial Ecosystem. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1453-7_11

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