Ruminal Biochemistry Due to Bovine Fungi with Clusterbean Stover Substrate in Response of Levels and Sources of Sulphur Supplementation

An in vitro study was planned with clusterbean stover as substrate to delineate the influence of levels and source of sulphur besides rumen fungi habitat on ruminal biochemical parameters in buffaloes and cattle. Total ruminal N, ammonia N, protein N, TVFA concentration and cellulase activity were significantly influenced by sulphur supplementation, irrespective of habitat of rumen fungi in buffaloes and cattle. Total N, protein N and TVFA concentration in the ruminal fluid was higher (P <0.05) on control diet than those having 0.4 or 0.5% sulphur level and at the same time ruminal fluid ammonia N concentration was lowest on control diet that supports the maximum assimilation of ammonia N in to fungal protein synthesis. Total N, protein N, and TVFA production was higher at 48 h (P <0.05) than at 12 h incubation, irrespective of species and sulphur sources. Fiber degrading enzyme (cellulase C1 or exo-β, 1–4 glucanase) activity was highest (P <0.05) on control diet than on two tested levels that also supports that inherent sulphur has an quantitative effect on rumen metabolite production by ruminal fungi. Cattle exceeded (P <0.05) buffaloes for fiber degrading enzyme activity. However no such difference was noticed for other tested metabolite traits.