‘Biotechnicum’ rumen – potentials and limitations

The total rumen volume of about 3.5 billion ruminants worldwide, was estimated to cover 150 million m3. This represents a considerable capacity for converting plants or parts of them into foodstuffs of animal origin. The potentials of the biotechnicum rumen, such as degradation of cell wall carbohydrates, microbial protein and vitamine synthesis as well as degradation or transformation of harmful substances are confronted with limitations and disadvantages, such as energy losses associated with rumen fermentation and limited digestion capacity of the small intestine, production of methan, which is considered ecologically harmful, formation of trans-fatty acids, destruction of vitamines as well as negative effects of an excessive rumen fermentation on animal health. The paper deals with the potentials and limits of rumen digestion. Factors which influence or interact with these processes are presented and valued. Additionally conclusions are drawn for application of the knowledge and for further research.

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