Abstract

Oyeleke, S. B.* and Okusanmi, T. A.

Microorganisms that were isolated from the rumen of three different ruminants (cow, sheep, and goat) include Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.0%), Bacillus (37.8%), Micrococcus (8.1%) and Streptococcus (44.3%) species for bacteria, while the fungi isolated were species of Fusarium (21.2%), Penicillium (23.4%), Aspergillus (14.7%) and Mucor (40.6%). These organisms were later examined for their ability to hydrolyze cellulose. The results revealed that P. aeruginosa, Streptococcus, Bacillus, Penicillin, Aspergillus, Mucor and Fusarium species were able to hydrolyze cellulose. The study suggests that the rumen of ruminants harbors various microorganisms that are active in cellulose breakdown.