ARS | Publication request: ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AMMONIA-HYPERPRODUCING BACTERIA FROM STORED SWINE MANURE

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 15, 2002
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Storage of swine manure is associated with the microbiological production of a variety of odorous compounds, including ammonia, organic acids and alcohols, and sulfides. These compounds can contribute to health problems for swine facility workers and animals, as well as odors that affect local human populations. Previous research in our laboratories has demonstrated that the microbial populations in swine manure stored in deep pits are composed primarily of low %(G+C), Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria. Examinations of predominant isolates from this ecosystem found that little ammonia was produced by these bacteria. Therefore, a selective medium containing 1% tryptone/1% casamino acids (and no carbohydrates) was used to isolate bacteria capable of growth on these compounds. Isolates were obtained from stored manure that were capable of growth on the selective medium and produced large amounts of ammonia, ranging from 20 mM to 80 mM, from 1% tryptone/1% casamino acids. These levels are similar to those found with ammonia-hyperproducing bacteria isolated from the rumen of cattle. Identification of the bacterial isolates by 16S rDNA genes sequencing indicated that the majority were low %(G+C), Gram-positive bacteria. A number of isolates were capable of growth on individual and combinations of amino acids and produced high levels of ammonia. Growth of all of the Gram-positive isolates was inhibited by addition of the ionophore monensin. These results suggest that production of ammonia during storage of manure may be due to the presence of ammonia-hyperproducing bacteria, and that ammonia production may be reduced by the addition of monensin to the manure.