In Vitro Procedure for Studying Starch Digestion by Rumen Microorganisms

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A series of in vitro experiments based on washed cell suspensions of rumen microorganisms was conducted in an attempt to develop a simplified, accurate in vitro technique sensitive to moderate alterations in starch digestion. Starch was estimated by a gravimetric procedure. Results obtained by this method were highly correlated (r=0.94) with results obtained using the more difficult anthrone procedure. The following conditions provided for satisfactory corn starch digestion in vitro when using an all-glass system and a gravimetric procedure for estimating starch: (1) a nutrient medium containing minerals and nitrogen and buffered at pH 6.8, (2) a substrate concentration of 5 mg. per ml. of washed cell suspension, (3) a two-fold concentration of microorganisms from ruminal fluid to final incubation mixture, and (4) an 8-hr, incubation period. Copyright © 1966. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1966 by American Society of Animal Science