The analysis of an enzyme (Ce1A) and a gene system (abg) involved in the utilization of lignocellulose in the rumen
Doctoral Thesis
1996
Permanent link to this Item
Authors
Supervisors
Journal Title
Link to Journal
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Publisher
University of Cape Town
Department
Faculty
License
Series
Abstract
As lignocellulose represents an abundant renewable resource, research is in progress to obtain a better understanding of the natural mechanisms whereby this resource is utilised. Of particular interest is the degradation of forage in the rumen and one research goal is to ultimately increase animal productivity through an improvement in lignocellulose utilisation. However, although the mechanisms behind lignocellulose utilisation are reasonably well understood, relatively little is known about the mechanisms which occur in the rumen. Thus, the aim of this thesis was to gain more insight into the mechanisms of lignocellulose utilisation which occur in the rumen. Initially this research was focused on the poorly characterised exo-acting cellulases from rumen bacteria. Preliminary enzymology studies on one cellulase from Ruminococcus flavefaciens FD-1, previously isolated in this laboratory, indicated that an exo-acting cellodextrinase, CelA, had been isolated. In this report, the enzyme was purified and biochemically characterised and was shown to be an exo-acting cellodextrinase.
Description
Bibliography: leaves 150-183.
Keywords
Reference:
Brown, G. 1996. The analysis of an enzyme (Ce1A) and a gene system (abg) involved in the utilization of lignocellulose in the rumen. University of Cape Town.