Molecular and antifungal characterization of fungal microbiota from the rumen of West African dwarf sheep (ovis aries)
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Date
2017
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Department of Microbiology, Obafemi Awolowo University
Abstract
This study determined the effects of three vegetable oil types on fungal diversity in the rumen fluid of West African Dwarf (WAD) Sheep (Ovis aries), confirmed the identity of the isolated fungi species and tested for antifungal susceptibility. These were with the view to improving the growth performance of WAD Sheep.
A total of twelve growing WAD sheep weighing between 9 - 12 kg were tagged and divided into four treatment groups; concentrate without oil (CWO), concentrate with coconut oil (CNO), concentrate with palm kernel oil (PKO) and concentrate with palm oil (PMO). The pH and total weight gain were determined using standard methods. During the 1st, 7th and 14th week of the feed trial experiment, 36 samples of rumen fluid were collected with the aid of an oral stomach tube. Fungal Counts (FC) were analysed with Sabouraud Dextrose Agar using spread plate method. Fungalisolates were identified by cultural technique,morphological and biochemical tests. Identity of isolates was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, sequence analysis of the internal transcribed region (ITS) 4 and 5. Antifungal susceptibility pattern of conventional drugs (Voriconazole, Fluconazole and Nystatin) against identified fungi species were determined using disk diffusion method.
Total weight gain (kg) of WAD sheep fed concentrate diets with different vegetable oils supplements showed a significant difference ranging from 10.40 kg to 15.00 kg compared to values ranging from 10.40 kg to 13.00 kg for WAD sheep fed with concentrate diets without inclusion of vegetable oil. The pH was in the range of 6.45±0.35 to 7.30±0.45 with CWO and CNO having the lowest and highest pH value respectively. No significant differences (p = 0.310) were observed comparing the pH across the four study groups. Moulds and yeast counts ranged between 4.33±0.40 - 4.98±0.40 sfu/ml and 3.32±0.04 - 5.20±0.02 cfu/ml respectively. In WAD sheep fed CNO, a higher population of fungi was observed compared with those receiving CWO, PKO and PMO. Fungal isolates were identified to belong to a total of eight fungal genera. The yeast,Candida krusei(17.1%) was the most frequent and among the mycelial fungi, the genus Aspergillus (54.4%) was the most frequently observed from the rumen samples. Antibiogram results showed that most isolates from class Deuteromycota were susceptible to voriconazole and nystatin. The species, Aspergillus aculeatus, Botyris cinera, Fusarium equiseti, Mucor spp.and Rhizopus oryzae showed resistance to all the tested antifungal drugs. Yeast species were susceptible to all the antifungal disks except Candida krusei that was resistant to fluconazole.
This study concluded that concentrate diet with inclusion of vegetable oil improved growth performance of WAD sheep and increased the number of rumen fungal microbiota. It also highlighted rumen fluid as a potential reservoir for antifungal resistant organisms.
Description
xiv,104
Keywords
Molecular Characterization of Fungal, Antifugal Characterization of Fungal, Microbiota, Rumen, West African Dwarf Sheep, Fungal, Antifungal
Citation
Badejo, O.O. (2017). Molecular and antifungal characterization of fungal microbiota from the rumen of West African dwarf sheep (ovis aries). Obafemi Awolowo University