Method for Measuring Diaminopimelic Acid in Total Rumen Contents and Its Application to the Estimation of Bacterial Growth

Abstract

Diaminopimelic acid (DAP) was measured in rumen samples for which growth rate had previously been estimated from changes in fermentation capacity. The growth measurements by the two methods agreed within the experimental error. Agreement between the rate of bacterial growth (DAP) and total microbial growth (fermentation capacity) suggests that the protozoa also grow at about this rate.