Can Waste Paper be used as a Feed Supplement for Ruminant Livestock?

Abstract

The cellulolytic enzyme e system of Clostridium chartatabidum, an isolate from sheep rumen was characterized in terms of range of cellulolytic enzymes produced, mechanism of expression and cellular distribution of cellulase activity. One of cellulolytic enzymes, endo-b-1, 4-glucanase (endoglucanase) was used as a model enzyme for the cellulose system of this organism, and was characterized in much more details than others. The range and level of production of the various celulolytic enzymes was determined both qualitatively and quantitatively using standard methods in cultures of this organisms grown on glucose, cellulobiose, cellulose and xylan as sole source of energy for growth. This study has shown that Clostridium chartatabium has both cellulose and xylanase activities. The following cellulolytic enzymes were demonstrated in this organism: filter paper (cellulose) hydrolyzing activity, endoglucanase and b-glucosidase activities. This organism was able to completely digest both cellulose and xylan (hemicellulose) in vitro within 7days. Filter paper (cellulose) hydrolyzing activity was mainly cell associated. Cells of this organism usually adhered to cellulose particles within the first 30 minutes of inoculation and remained attached until the substrate was completely digested. Cellulose grown cultures had the highest total cellulose and endoglucanase activities, whereas glucose grown culture had the lowest enzyme activities. In contrast cellobiose grown culture had the highest a–glucosidase activity.

The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 27 2004: pp. 36-44