Effects of essential oils on ruminal microorganisms and their protein metabolism

McIntosh, F. M., Williams, P., Losa, R., Wallace, R. J., Beever, D. A. and Newbold, C. J. (2003) Effects of essential oils on ruminal microorganisms and their protein metabolism. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 69 (8). pp. 5011-5014. ISSN 0099-2240 doi: 10.1128/aem.69.8.5011-5014.2003

Abstract/Summary

A commercial blend of essential oil (EO) compounds was added to a grass, maize silage, and concentrate diet fed to dairy cattle in order to determine their influence on protein metabolism by ruminal microorganisms. EO inhibited (P < 0.05) the rate of deamination of amino acids. Pure-culture studies indicated that the species most sensitive to EO were ammonia-hyperproducing bacteria and anaerobic fungi.