ECOLOGICAL TREATISE ON THE RUMEN FERMENTATION
II. THE AMYLOLYTIC AND CELLULOLYTIC ACTIVITIES OF THE FRACTIONATED BACTERIAL PORTIONS ATTACHED TO THE RUMEN SOLIDS
1966 Volume 12 Issue 1 Pages 53-69
Details
1966 Volume 12 Issue 1 Pages 53-69
The biochemical features of bacterial population in the gauze filtrate fraction or other respective bacterial fractions gradually eluted from the digesta solids were examined for their activities towards cellulose, starch or succinate. The rumen contents of sheep fed hay and concentrates was squeezed through a layer of two sheets of gauze to obtain the digesta solids. The results obtained were as follows:
1) The distribution of Veillonella alcalescens in each fraction was examined on the basis of succinate decarboxylation. Values of QCO2 of G and W1 fractions exceeded those of W2 and T fractions and the pattern of distribution of QCO2 in each fraction was quite similar with pattern of the viable count of this species.
2) Gauze filtrate fraction was superior to the other fractions in the production of volatile fatty acid from cellulose or starch. Furthermore, T fraction showed considerable production of volatile fatty acids from starch, and in this respect exceeded W2 fraction although less in cell density.
3) G fraction was least active in cellulolytic activity compared to the other fractions. The amylolytic activity of G fraction was greater than the other fractions, followed by T fraction with a slight differences. Moreover, G fraction was most active in the proteolytic activity compared to the other fractions.
4) An attempt was made to adsorb the cells contained in G and T fractions on starch or cellulose. When the bacteria in G fraction were treated with starch, greater decrease in cell amount was observed than in T fraction. While, only a slight difference was indicated between both fractions at the treatment with cellulose. In the specific amylolytic activity of G fraction a significant decrease was well observed with the treatment with starch as compared with T fraction.
The above results were discussed with relation to those of distribution of the rumen bacteria in each bacterial fraction as previously reported.
