Gastrointestinal microbiology and biotechnology

This group undertakes basic and applied research concerning the role of microorganisms in the digestive tract, and strives to apply current knowledge to the formulation of strategies for optimal utilization of feed resources and the prevention of digestive disorders in animals and humans.

Microorganisms within the gastrointestinal tract play an important nutritional and metabolic role beneficial to humans and animals. The group’s aims are:

• To isolate, characterise and preserve potentially useful microorganisms for the enhancement of animal production, treatment of human disorders and fermentation technology, and
• To utilize these organisms as probiotics in animals, as for example, rumen fermentation enhancers and detoxification inoculants.

Biotechnological application of rumen organisms is also evaluated in order to alleviate acidosis in high-yield dairy cows. Through the use of molecular biology, a genetic probe has been developed which makes it possible to detect specific rumen bacteria in mixed rumen bacterial populations. The organisms can thus be traced during in vivo trials in order to determine the dose size and frequency required of the organism per animal, in order to alleviate lactic acidosis. The second area of expertise within the group is the use of biotechnological applications, development and production of probiotics. Latest research includes the development of gastro-intestinal models to study the survival and adhesion of probiotic bacteria in the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT). Fluorescent-in-situ-hybridization is one method used to detect the survival and adhesion of these bacteria in the GIT.

Professional services

• Selection, cultivation and preservation of microbial cultures for administration to animals
• Microbiological analysis of microbial populations in the digestive tracts of domestic animals
• Supply of cultures of rumen bacteria and -fluid from domesticated and wild animals
• Determination of nutritional requirements and growth kinetics of microorganisms
• Consultation services
• Seminars and lectures

For more information:
Contact: Dr Louise Maré
Tel:  +27 (0)12 672 9058
Fax: +27 (0)12 665 1551
E-mail: marel@arc.agric.za