Results of the Study of the Poultry Manure Microflora

Abstract

The microbiological composition of chicken manure has a significant impact on its further destruction. For the disposal of chicken manure by biological methods it is important to have in the manure nutrients, growth inhibitors (residues of antibiotics or disinfectants), the ratio of spore-forming and non-spore-forming microflora, as well as the presence of beneficial microflora. The aim of the work was to study the microbiological composition of chicken manure in poultry farms of Ukraine.
 Chicken manure from poultry farms of different scale and method of keeping poultry on the territory of Ukraine was studied. Selected samples were transported in a thermal container and examined microbiologically by inoculation on commonly used and selective media. To determine the amount of spore-forming microflora, a slurry suspension was prepared, sown in a mattress with a dense nutrient medium and turpentine was introduced into a cotton gauze plug. The morphology of the isolated microorganisms, acid-forming properties, catalase activity and enzymatic properties were studied according to generally accepted methods.
 It was found that in the manure of chickens, which were kept indoors, the percentage of spore-forming microorganisms ranged from 14.74 to 21.24 %, and not spore-forming – 78.76-85.26 %. In the manure of chickens that had grazed, the percentage of spore-forming microorganisms ranged from 48.93 to 78.81 %, and not spore-forming – 21.19-51.07 %. The average amount of spore-forming microflora under both conditions was 40.86 %, and not spore-forming – 59.14 %. According to the results of the work, 20 isolates were isolated, of which 15% of isolates had pronounced acid-forming properties. On MRS agar, the isolates had the appearance of small, smooth white-gray S-shaped colonies, in Gram-stained smears, small gram-positive rods were observed, arranged singly, in pairs, and in short chains. Isolates 1, 2 and 3 had a negative reaction to catalase.
 According to the results of the studies, isolate 1 was identified as Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salivarius, isolate 2 – Lactobacillus reuteri, and isolate 3 – Lactobacillus delbrueckii.