TRIMETHYLAMINE AND METHYLAMINE AS GROWTH SUBSTRATES FOR RUMEN BACTERIA AND METHANOSARCINA-BARKERI

Trimethylamine and methylamine were found to be used as methanogenic substrates by Methanosarcina barkeri or by bacteria found in low dilutions of rumen contents. When these substrates were used as the only added carbon and nitrogen source, up to 80% of the theoretical amount of methane production was obtained. Methanosarcina were enumerated from rumen contents at 10 5-10 6 bacteria/ml. Pure cultures of the various major rumen bacterial species, including Methanobacterium ruminantium strain M1, were not able to utilize these substrates as energy and/or nitrogen sources. It is suggested that, in the rumen, trimethylamine and methylamine are primarily degraded by Methanosarcina, resulting in release of ammonia which then can be utilized by other rumen bacteria. © 1979 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.