Influence of Aflatoxin on in vitro Ruminal Cellulolytic and Amylolytic Activity in Cattle and Buffalo

Studies were planned at 0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 ppm levels of aflatoxin in addition to in vitro fermentation system derived from cattle and buffalo rumen fed on concentrate to roughage ratios of 1:3 and 3 :1, and the influence on VFA, microbial protein synthesis and cellulose disappearance was investigated. The ruminal total VFA concentration was higher, hut microbial protein synthesis and cellulose disappearance were lower in buffalo than cattle. Varying concentrate roughage ratios affected only ruminal TVFA concentration. The VFA proportions were similar in both the species on 1 : 3 concentrate roughage ratio diet. Both ceilulolytic and amylolytic bacteria were equally affected by aflatoxin toxicity and thus, feeding diets with different concentrate roughage ratios did not show any protective effect on different microbial ecosystems in the rumen with respect to aflatoxin toxicity.