Acidaminococcus Fermentans P47 for Butyric Acid Rumen Fermentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing studies focus on sequencing rumen microbes for pre-weaning calves but lack isolation of key strains that promote growth, particularly those enhancing volatile fatty acid production and growth rate.

Innovation Solution

Isolation and identification of an Acidaminococcus fermentans strain (P47) from the rumen of high-growth calves, demonstrating increased butyric acid production and improved rumen fermentation parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If sequencing methods are used to study rumen microbes, then comprehensive microbial community information can be obtained, but key strains that promote growth cannot be isolated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial community informationVSAvoidstrain isolation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts specific key strains (Acidaminococcus fermentans P47) from the complex rumen microbial community obtained through sequencing. By isolating the strain most highly correlated with ADG from the comprehensive community data, the invention transitions from general microbial information to a specific, actionable strain that can be applied to improve calf growth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Quantity of substance

If acid-producing bacteria are enriched in the rumen, then total VFA and butyric acid concentration increase, but the mechanism and specific strains remain unclear

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveVFA concentrationVSAvoidfermentation mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses metagenomics sequencing data as feedback to identify which specific bacterial strains are most highly correlated with ADG. This feedback loop connects the observed growth outcome back to specific microbial taxa, enabling targeted enrichment of the most effective strains rather than random or general acid-producing bacteria enrichment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanistic studies with metagenomics sequencing and correlation analysis. Instead of attempting to elucidate detailed fermentation pathways and mechanisms, the invention uses molecular biology techniques to directly identify and isolate the key strain based on its correlation with growth performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If general rumen microbes are studied, then broad microbial diversity is covered, but growth-promoting strains are not specifically identified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial coverageVSAvoidgrowth promotion identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by focusing on the specific property of growth promotion within the broader rumen microbial community. While metagenomics provides comprehensive coverage, the invention then applies a selection criterion (correlation with ADG) to identify the local optimum - the specific strain with the highest growth-promoting potential.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the selection parameter from general microbial presence to specific correlation with ADG. By using metagenomics data to calculate correlation coefficients between microbial taxa and growth performance, the invention transforms the selection criterion to precisely identify strains that promote growth rather than merely being present in the rumen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The Acidaminococcus fermentans P47 strain enhances rumen fermentation, increasing butyric acid ratio and growth rate in pre-weaning calves, thereby improving dairy cow production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Fermentation in the rumen driven by rumen microbes provides approximately 70% of the volatile fatty acids (VFAs) for host growth and development

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250320454A1Acidaminococcus fermentans strain and use thereof in improving rumen fermentation

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 FEED RESEARCH INSTITUTE CHINESE ACADEMY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

AI summary

An Acidaminococcus fermentans strain and use thereof in improving rumen fermentation are provided, and relates to the technical field of microorganisms. An acid-producing strain of Acidaminococcus fermentans P47 is obtained by screening, which has desirable passage stability and safety. The strain can increase a ratio of butyric acid in the rumen of a ruminant, improve rumen fermentation parameters of a pre-weaning calf, promote rumen fermentation, improve a rumen environment, and increase an average daily gain (ADG) of the ruminant.