Enterococci and staphylococci isolates from rumen of fallow deers and their antimicrobial activity.

This work presents enterococci and staphylococci isolated from the rumen content of fallow deers, their characteristics and antimicrobial activity. On the basis of biochemical tests, strains isolated were allotted to the species Enterococcus solitarius, E. malodoratus, Staphylococcus warneri, S. aureus, S. sciuri subsp. sciuri and S. xylosus. All strains produce lactic acid in the range from 0.303 to 0.500 mol.l-1. Isolated strains were found to be resistant or sensitive to the antimicrobial additives screened. Most isolates showed antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative test organisms reaching clear zones of inhibition (diam. 2-5 mm) with bacteriocidic effect.