Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on In Vitro Mixed Ruminal Microorganism Fermentation

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of two Saccharomyces cerevisiae feed supplements on the in vitro mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation of ground corn, soluble starch, alfalfa hay, and Coastal bermudagrass hay. In the absence of added substrates, both yeast supplements increased (P<0.05) methane concentrations, whereas concentrations of acetate and propionate were numerically increased. In ground corn incubations, both concentrations (0.35 and 0.73 g/L) of both S. cerevisiae supplements had little effect on final pH or fermentation products. Both concentrations of each S. cerevisiae supplement numerically increased concentrations of acetate and butyrate in soluble starch fermentations. In addition, the 0.73-g/L treatment increased (P<0.10) propionate, and both yeast treatments decreased (P<0.05) acetate:propionate. In vitro DM disappearance of alfalfa hay and Coastal bermudagrass hay did increase over time. However, the addition of both concentrations of each S. cerevisiae supplement had little effect on either the rate or extent of digestion of either forage by mixed ruminal microorganisms. In general, both S. cerevisiae supplements seemed to have similar effects on the in vitro mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation.