Abstract
The influence of several conditions on the attachment of rumen bacteria to cellulose powder was examined. The attachment occurred shortly after the addition of the cellulose and maximum attachment was attained after 5 min further incubation at 38.degree. C. The amount of bacteria attached to cellulose was approximately proportional to the quantity of cellulose powder up to 2% wt/vol. Reaction temperature had a very profound effect on the attachment. The amount of attached bacteria increased as the reaction temperature was raised. Some bacteria attached to cellulose even at 4.degree. C, though the amount of attached bacteria was small. Amylase, urease and protease activities of attached bacteria were remarkably low compared with those of non-attached bacteria. .beta.-Glucosidase activity of attached bacteria was significantly higher than that of non-attached bacteria. To elute the attached bacteria, an anaerobic salt solution was initially tried; subsequently, a 0.1% aqueous solution of methylcellulose was used. The constitution of bacteria eluted with the methylcellulose solution varied among samples; the most predominant group were gram-negative rods (60.1-80.1% of the total bacteria eluted). The amylase, .beta.-glucosidase and urease activities of bacteria eluted with the methylcellulose solution were similar to those of bacteria attached to cellulose.

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