Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
host microbiota, intestinal fiber content, alpaca, pseudo-ruminant
College
Life Sciences
Department
Plant and Wildlife Sciences
Abstract
As a pseudo-ruminant, the alpaca is highly dependent on the bacteria in its intestinal tract to obtain the nutrients it needs. For example the starch-fermenting bacteria in the compartment 1 (C1) access nutrients from the normally indigestible starches the alpaca consumes. The bacteria release volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in return. The alpaca uses VFAs as a source of energy. In turn, the composition of the microbiome (bacteria in the intestinal tract) is affected by many factors involving its host. These factors could include host genome, diet, and location in the digestive tract. Our research was to survey many aspects of why the alpaca is able to extract more energy from ingested dietary fiber than almost all other animals. We also looked to perfect protocol for examining such traits as this analysis is done many different ways throughout the scientific community.
Recommended Citation
Olsen, Kyle and Chaston, John
(2016)
"Effects of Host Microbiota on Intestinal Fiber Content,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2016:
Iss.
1, Article 192.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2016/iss1/192