Effect of Hydrogen-Consuming Compounds on In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation, Fatty Acids Profile, and Microbial Community in Water Buffalo

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of hydrogen-consuming compounds on ruminal methane (CH₄) production, in vitro fermentation parameters, fatty acids profile, and microbial community in water buffalo. Different sodium nitrate to disodium fumarate ratios [2:1 (F), 1:1 (S), 1:2 (T)] were studied in vitro by batch culture technique in the presence of linoleic acid. Results revealed that the dominant bacterial communities were not affected with sodium nitrate and disodium fumarate, whereas CH₄ production and Verrucomicrobia, Succiniclasticum, norank_f__Muribaculaceae, and Prevotellaceae_UCG-003 were reduced (P < 0.05). However, ruminal pH, unsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids (UFA/SFA) and Campilobacterota, Selenomonas, Succinivibrio, Oribacterium, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Campylobacter, Shuttleworthia, Schwartzia, and Prevotellaceae_YAB2003_group were increased (P < 0.05). Total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) and Spirochaetae, Fibrobacterota, Verrucomicrobia, Fibrobacter, Treponema, and Prevotellaceae were decreased in F (P < 0.05), but cis-9, trans-11CLA, acetate/propionate and Proteobacteria, Campilobacterota, Selenomonas, Succinivibrio, and Campylobacter were increased in F (P < 0.05). The highly selected bacterial genera in F were Campylobacter and Succinivibrio. The disodium fumarate, enhanced (P < 0.05) the TVFA, propionate, total bacteria, Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus, and Atypical butyrivibrio. The concentrations of C18:3n3, C20:3n6, C21:0, C22:2n6, and C22:1n9, as well as the populations of total fungi, protozoa, methanogens, Butyrivibrio hungatei in T were higher (P < 0.05). The highly selected bacterial genera in T were Fibrobacter and Treponema. Conclusively, the addition of sodium nitrate and disodium fumarate can reduce the CH₄ production and optimize ruminal fatty acid composition. Furthermore, disodium fumarate can alleviate the adverse effect of sodium nitrate on the rumen fermentation.