New biochemical pathways for forming short-chain fatty acids during fermentation in rumen bacteria*
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are essential to cattle as a source of energy and for other roles in metabolism. These molecules are formed during fermentation by microbes in the rumen, but even after decades of study, the biochemical pathways responsible for forming them are not always clear. Here w...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-05-01
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| Series: | JDS Communications |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666910223001047 |
| _version_ | 1797213298638192640 |
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| author | Timothy J. Hackmann |
| author_facet | Timothy J. Hackmann |
| author_sort | Timothy J. Hackmann |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are essential to cattle as a source of energy and for other roles in metabolism. These molecules are formed during fermentation by microbes in the rumen, but even after decades of study, the biochemical pathways responsible for forming them are not always clear. Here we review recent advances in this area and their importance for improving animal productivity. Studies of bacterial genomes have pointed to unusual biochemical pathways in rumen organisms. One study found that 8% of rumen organisms forming acetate, a major SCFA, had genes for a pathway previously unknown in bacteria. The existence of this pathway was subsequently confirmed biochemically in propionibacteria. The pathway was shown to involve 2 enzymes that convert acetyl-coenzyme A to acetate. Similar studies have revealed new enzymatic steps for forming propionate and butyrate, other major SCFA. These new steps and pathways are significant for controlling fermentation. With more precise control over SCFA, cows can be fed more precisely and potentially reach higher productivity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T10:56:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1ec939aa6f1c4348bd3d669bb6b27d33 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2666-9102 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T10:56:03Z |
| publishDate | 2024-05-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JDS Communications |
| spelling | doaj.art-1ec939aa6f1c4348bd3d669bb6b27d332024-04-12T04:46:05ZengElsevierJDS Communications2666-91022024-05-0153230235New biochemical pathways for forming short-chain fatty acids during fermentation in rumen bacteria*Timothy J. Hackmann0Corresponding author; Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95168Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are essential to cattle as a source of energy and for other roles in metabolism. These molecules are formed during fermentation by microbes in the rumen, but even after decades of study, the biochemical pathways responsible for forming them are not always clear. Here we review recent advances in this area and their importance for improving animal productivity. Studies of bacterial genomes have pointed to unusual biochemical pathways in rumen organisms. One study found that 8% of rumen organisms forming acetate, a major SCFA, had genes for a pathway previously unknown in bacteria. The existence of this pathway was subsequently confirmed biochemically in propionibacteria. The pathway was shown to involve 2 enzymes that convert acetyl-coenzyme A to acetate. Similar studies have revealed new enzymatic steps for forming propionate and butyrate, other major SCFA. These new steps and pathways are significant for controlling fermentation. With more precise control over SCFA, cows can be fed more precisely and potentially reach higher productivity.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666910223001047 |
| spellingShingle | Timothy J. Hackmann New biochemical pathways for forming short-chain fatty acids during fermentation in rumen bacteria* JDS Communications |
| title | New biochemical pathways for forming short-chain fatty acids during fermentation in rumen bacteria* |
| title_full | New biochemical pathways for forming short-chain fatty acids during fermentation in rumen bacteria* |
| title_fullStr | New biochemical pathways for forming short-chain fatty acids during fermentation in rumen bacteria* |
| title_full_unstemmed | New biochemical pathways for forming short-chain fatty acids during fermentation in rumen bacteria* |
| title_short | New biochemical pathways for forming short-chain fatty acids during fermentation in rumen bacteria* |
| title_sort | new biochemical pathways for forming short chain fatty acids during fermentation in rumen bacteria |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666910223001047 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT timothyjhackmann newbiochemicalpathwaysforformingshortchainfattyacidsduringfermentationinrumenbacteria |