Studies on Cellulose Fermentation

Abstract

An anaerobic cellulose-digesting bacterium, Clostridium cellobioparus, was isolated from the rumen of cattle. It differs from other anaerobic cellulose-decomposing bacteria in being easily isolated and in growing well on both glucose and cellulose as well as a variety of other sugars. No tendency toward loss of cellulose-digesting ability during 4 yrs. of pure culture has been observed. The growth requirements are met by an inorganic medium to which biotin and a carbohydrate are added. The products of fermentation are C02, H2, ethyl alcohol, and acetic, formic, and lactic acids. Products amounting to 30% of the substrate have not been identified. Cellobiose is the chief digestion product of the cellulose; no glucose is formed.