Cellular fatty acid and sugar composition of representative strains of rumen bacteria.

Abstract

The patterns of cellular fatty acid and sugar composition of 17 strains representing 17 species of rumen bacteria were examined. They were roughly classified into four groups (A,B,C, and D) on the basis of the patterns of their cellular fatty acid composition. Group A had major amounts of even-numbered straight-chain fatty acids besides monounsaturated, 3-hydroxy, and odd-numbered straight-chain fatty acids. Group B had relatively large amounts of fatty aldehydes besides straight-chain saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Group C had large amounts of 3-hydroxy and monounsaturated fatty acids besides straight-chain saturated fatty acids. Group D had abundantly iso- and anteiso-methyl-branched fatty acids besides straight-chain saturated fatty acids and fatty aldehydes. The 17 strains of rumen bacteria varied slightly in their patterns of sugar composition mostly. The cells of 10 of the 17 strains contained mostly glucose. Analysis of the cellular fatty acid will help to gain insight into the bacterial community structure in the rumen.