Inhibition of Rumen Cellulase by an Extract from Sericea Forage

Abstract
The nutritive qualities of sericea forage for ruminant animals have generally been considered inferior to that of other forages. This inferiority usually has been associated with the high lignin and tannin content. To test the effect of the water-soluble tannins on cellulase from rumen fluid, the inhibition of cellulase was measured by changes in viscosity of sodium carboxymethylcellulose. A water extract of sericea forage inhibited this change in viscosity, and the inhibition was proportional to the concentration of inhibitor present. This inhibition was shown in biochemical studies only, and its effect in living animals remains to be demonstrated. Such a biochemical test for cellulase inhibition, if it correlates with animal studies, would be of great value to the plant breeder.

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