The metabolism of succinic acid in the rumen of the sheep

Abstract

The concn. of succinate in the rumen of sheep is low and there is only a slight increase after feeding. Added succinate is rapidly removed from the rumen and at the same time there is an increase in the concn. of propionate but not of any other volatile fatty acid. Washed suspensions of rumen bacteria convert succinate quantitatively to propionate and CO2. Washed suspensions of rumen bacteria ferment glucose and cellobiose rapidly with the production of about 1 equivalent of acid per hexose unit. In addition some free CO2 is produced.