A STUDY OF THE DIGESTION OF CELLULOSE IN THE WILD RAT

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Abstract
The source of the cellulose was "Bagasse," the residue of the sugar cane after removal of the sugar. The material contained traces of reducing sugar and of N, chiefly in the form of amino acids. Feeding experiments were made with wild gray rats. In vitro experiments were made with digestive enzymes, Bacillus aerogenes, Bacillus coli and yeast, with the following results: No evidence of hydrolysis of the cellulose was obtained either from digestive enzymes or bacteria. Wild rats were equally unable to hydrolyze cellulose; but cellulose ingested in large amounts is harmful, causing inflammation of the digestive tract.

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