Studies on cellulolytic bacteria isolated from a steer and a buffalo

A simple method using medium enriched with Whatman No. 1 filter paper as the sole selective substrate proved to be very effective in the isolation of cellulolytic bacteria from the rumen of a steer and a buffalo. Both animals were fed a high fibre ration. Most of the cellulolytic bacteria isolated were identified as Bacteriodes succinogenes; Ruminococcus flaveflaciens was detected less frequently. However, no R. albus was isolated. The colonies were contaminated with Butyrivibrio sp. but not with Borrelia sp. The method described is effective, requires less time than the conventional cellulose agar method of isolation and is superior to the latter because pure colonies of B. succinogenes, which usually escape detection because of their failure to produce clear zones, can be detected. In clear zone experiments with cellulose (Whatman No. 1 filter paper) agar (1.3% wt/vol.) roll tubes, B. succinogenes and Butyrivibrio sp. were unable to produce clear zones, whereas mixed cultures were. However, R. flaveflaciens in its pure form was able to produce clearings which had centre colonies. (author)