BLOAT INVESTIGATIONS: THE FOAM STABILIZING PROTEIN OF ALFALFA

Abstract

The protein foaming agent in alfalfa leaves responsible for foam formation in the rumen in pasture bloat has been isolated from protein extracts by agar gel filtration. The isolated protein showed a characteristic absorption at 280 and 260 mμ. The ultracentrifuge and electrophoretic schlieren patterns indicated that the protein was homogeneous. The sedimentation coefficients of the protein and alfalfa leaf macerate identified it as 18-S protein. This is believed to be the first report identifying 18-S protein as the cause of pasture bloat.