ARS | Publication request: Effects of biological pit additives on microbial ecology of stored pig manure

Submitted to: Conference on Gastrointestinal Function
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 18, 2007
Publication Date: April 18, 2007
Citation: Ziemer, C.J., Coate, E.A., Kerr, B.J., Trabue, S.L. 2007. Effects of biological pit additives on microbial ecology of stored pig manure [abstract]. In: Proceedings of Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease, Conference on Gastrointestinal Function, April 17-18, 2007, Chicago, Illinois. 19:38.

Technical Abstract: The effects of biological pit additives on microbial ecology in stored pig manure were investigated using a dynamic manure storage system, which allowed for continual addition of swine feces and urine. After 13 weeks of manure collection and storage, four treatments were added to tanks (900 L capacity with 400 L): control (no treatment), Indigo (1.1 ml/L), Pit Remedy 1X (1 ml/L) and Pit Remedy 4X (4 ml/L) with three tanks per treatment. At predetermined intervals (0, 1, 3 and 5 weeks after treatment); 100 ml of sample was removed for analysis. Anaerobic serial dilutions were prepared within two h of sampling and the remainder of the sample was stored at -20 degrees C until DNA extraction. Total anaerobes and aerobes were determined by spiral platting dilutions onto reduced Wilkens-Chalgren agar and Nutrient agar, respectively. To estimate Gram-positive and negative bacterial counts, 0.03 mg/ml of nalidixic acid or vancomycin were included in agars. All plates were incubated at 37 degrees C and colonies enumerated automaticlly, data were transformed into log counts for statistical analysis. Total DNA was extracted from samples and the 16S rRNA gene V3-region was amplified prior to denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis. Biological pit additives had no effect on total aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Pit additives did significantly affect both nalidixic acid and vancomycin resistant anaerobes, but had no effect on aerobic resistant bacteria. Treatment of manure did not result in differences in DGGE banding patterns. While manure pit additives did affect numbers of nalidixic acid and vancomycin resistant anaerobes, these changes were not reflected in the microbial community based on DGGE analysis.