EFFECT OF PLANT PHENOLIC ACIDS ON CELLULOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF MIXED RUMEN POPULATIONS

Influences of plant phenolic acids and their possible metabolites(non-phenolic aromatic acids involved) in the rumen on the cellulolytic activity of mixed rumen populations were examined by a simple in vitro culture technique. Initial concentrations of aromatic acids were 1, 5, 10 and 20 mM/l. All the tested aromatic acids reduced microbial cellulose digestion especially at the higher initial concentration. P-Coumaric acid, ferulic acid and cinnamic acid, those having unhydrogenated propenoic side chain were more inhibitory than were 3-phenylpropinic acid and phloretic acid, those having hydrogenated propanoic side chain. Lag-time for cellulose digestion was prolonged by former three acids by 16 h. Apparent reduction in p-coumaric acid concentration was observed at 24 h when cellulose digestion began. Volatile fatty acid productions from cellulose fermentation were shifted by former three aromatic acids to produce more acetate and less propionate. This suggests that the selection of celluloytic organisms was induced by these aromatic acids.