Sheep adapted to consume tannins rich feeds such as oak leaf (OL) appear to develop defensive mechanisms by their ruminal bacteria against these polyphenols. The capabilities of ruminal isolated tannins resistant bacteria from these animals to ferment a tanniniferous feed (i.e., pistachio hulls, (PH) which were incubated with rumen fluid from Holstein dairy cows was assessed. Six g positive cocci were isolated from the rumen of sheep and the 16s rRNA gene sequences showed them to be closely related to Streptococcus gallolyticus. In three runs of in vitro gas production (GP), the effect of two of the isolates incubated with buffered ruminal fluid of Holstein cow and PH was evaluated. The GP was recorded from 1 to 96 h of incubation. Incubating either of the isolates with PH caused a significantly higher in vitro gas production, estimated parameters, in vitro organic matter disappearance, metabolisable energy and volatile fatty acids than those without any isolate. The improvement in the ruminal parameters when either of the isolates was used suggested the possible presence of isolated tannins-resistant bacteria (Streptococcus gallolyticus sp.), however, in vivo studies must be conducted to confirm the in vitro results.
