The utilization of carbohydrates of seaweed by rumen microflora <i>in vitro</i>

Abstract

Abstract Tests have been made to determine whether some of the carbohydrates of the brown algae and of dried milled samples of Laminaria cloustoni and Ascophyllum nodosum can be utilized by the mixed microflora of the bovine rumen when incubated in rumen liquid for 4 h. at 39°. The conversion of non‐protein nitrogen into protein and changes in pH were used as indications of utilization. Of the various products that were tested, only laminarin and the frond of L. cloustoni , which contains laminarin, promoted the type of vigorous activity obtained under the same conditions with maltose.