SHORT COMMUNICATION
Degradation of pectic polysaccharides in forage
chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) by rumen bacteria
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1
Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University,
Palmerston North, New Zealand
2
Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch, Palmerston North, New Zealand
3
Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
4
School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Publication date: 2007-09-17
Corresponding author
X. Z. Sun
Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University,
Palmerston North, New Zealand
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2007;16(Suppl. 2):101-106
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
In vitro degradation of fresh chicory (L.) leaves were studied using rumen bacteria Lachnospira
multiparus (pectinolytic) and Fibrobacter succinogenes (cellulolytic). L. multiparus did not release
cellulose- and “hemicellulose”-associated monosaccharides glucose, xylose or mannose, but released
the rhamnogalacturonan-associated monosaccharides arabinose, galactose and rhamnose, and rapidly
released homogalacturonan-associated monosaccharides uronic acids. F. succinogenes also released
uronic acids extensively, but at a slower rate than L. multiparus and also released glucose, xylose
and mannose. F. succinogenes released these monosaccharides sequentially in the order uronic acid,
rhamnose, and then arabinose and galactose together, suggesting that pectic polysaccharides degrade
faster than cellulose and “hemicelluloses”, among pectic polysaccharides homogalacturonan faster
than rhamnogalacturonan I. It appears the degradation of pectic polysaccharides by rumen bacteria
may contribute significantly to the high digestibility of forage chicory.
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