Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
Function of Streptococcus bovis
Streptococcus bovis is a:
- Cellulose-digesting bacteria
- Hemicellulose digesting bacteria
- Starch-digesting bacteria — Correct Answer
- Sugar utilizing bacteria
Explanation:
Correct Answer: Starch-digesting bacteria
Streptococcus bovis is a key starch-digesting bacterium in the rumen. It rapidly ferments starch to lactic acid, and can cause rumen acidosis (grain overload) when starch-rich diets are fed suddenly, as it produces excess lactic acid faster than it can be cleared.
Ruminal Bacteria — Classification
| Type | Key Bacteria |
|---|---|
| Cellulose-digesting | Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens |
| Hemicellulose-digesting | Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Bacteroides ruminicola |
| Starch-digesting | Streptococcus bovis, Ruminobacter amylophilus |
| Methanogenic | Methanobacterium ruminantium |
| Sugar/dextrin utilizing | Succinivibrio dextrinosolvens, Lactobacillus acidophilus |
Clinical Note
- Streptococcus bovis is a facultative anaerobe
- Sudden switch to high-grain diet → rapid starch → lactic acid production → Lactic acidosis / Grain overload
- Normal ruminal pH: 6.5–6.8; lactic acidosis drops pH below 5.5
Why Other Options Are Wrong
- Cellulose-digesting → Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus are the cellulose digesters
- Hemicellulose digesting → Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens is the key hemicellulose degrader
- Sugar utilizing → Succinivibrio dextrinosolvens utilises dextrin/sugars; not Streptococcus bovis
📚 About this Topic — Animal Nutrition
This multiple choice question is from Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Nutrition to strengthen your preparation.
