Antimicrobial Effect of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) Phenolic Extract on the Ruminal Hyper Ammonia-Producing Bacterium, Clostridium sticklandii

Abstract

Ruminal proteolysis and subsequent amino acid degradation represent considerable economic loss in ruminant production. The hyper ammonia-producing bacteria (HAB) are largely responsible for amino acid deamination in the rumen. HAB can be controlled with ionophores, but they are also susceptible to antimicrobial plant secondary metabolites. Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is rich in soluble phenolics, and it is also more resistant to proteolysis than other legumes. The goal of this study was to identify phenolic compounds from Trifolium pratense cultivar Kenland, and determine if any of the compounds possessed antimicrobial activity against the bovine HAB, Clostridium sticklandii SR. HPLC analysis revealed that clover tissues were rich in the isoflavonoids formononetin and biochanin A, particularly in plants left to wilt for 24 h. Biochanin A inhibited C. sticklandii in bioassays that employed thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Both clover extracts and biochanin A inhibited the growth of C. sticklandii in broth culture, but formononetin had no effect. These results indicate that clover phenolic compounds may have a role in preventing amino acid fermentation.

Antibacterial activity of leaves extracts of Trifolium alexandrinum Linn. against pathogenic bacteria causing tropical diseases

“…Detection of bioactive compounds i.e., terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, amino acids and proteins in appreciable amount in the leaves extracts of T. alexandrinum in our laboratory and antimicrobial effect of phenolic extract of another Trifolium species i.e., red clover (Trifolium pratense) on the ruminal hyper ammonia-producing bacterium, Clostridium sticklandii [16] prompted us to evaluate the possible antibacterial properties of T. alexandrinum in vitro. Hence, polar and non-polar extracts of the leaves were explored against eighteen human pathogenic bacterial strains, responsible for many of the tropical diseases.…”

Effects of Spent Craft Brewers’ Yeast on Fermentation and Methane Production by Rumen Microorganisms

“…Plant-derived alternatives to antibiotics have proven useful in inhibiting both ammonia production and methanogenesis [11]. Various saponins, tannins, essential oils, organosulfur compounds, and flavonoids have all been shown to have efficacy in this regard [12] [13]. Hops (Humulus lupulus) α-and β-acids are another suite of plant secondary metabolites shown to have antimicrobial properties against Gram-positive bacteria, including rumen bacteria [14] [15].…”

Antimicrobial Activities of Extracts Derived from in vivo and in vitro Grown Trifolium pratense (Red clover)

“…Native Americans have used Red clover to cure external skin problems and lung illnesses [10]. The importance of Red clover in traditional medicine and antimicrobial effect of phenolic extract of Red clover on the ruminal hyper ammonia-producing bacterium, Clostridium sticklandii [11] prompted us to further evaluate the possible antibacterial and antifungal properties of this plant. The potential uses of in vitro propagated plants as sources for new drugs are still largely unexplored.…”