Rate of Acetic Acid Production in the Rumen Determined by Isotope Dilution.

Abstract

It was found by the technique of isotope dilution using acetate- 1-C14 that the normal sheep on an all-hay ration produced acetic acid in its rumen by bacterial synthesis at the rate of 0.126 millimole per ml of rumen liquor for the 7-hour period following feeding. Radioactivity was found in the other rumen volatile fatty acid (propionic, butyric and higher acids) demonstrating their formation from acetic acid in the rumen.