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Thermophilic Fermentation of Pig Faeces and Straw by Actinomycetes
Author(s) -
GINNIVAN M. J.,
WOODS J. L,
O'CALLAGHAN J. R.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of applied bacteriology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 0021-8847
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1977.tb00746.x
Subject(s) - cellulose , fermentation , feces , cellulase , straw , hydrolysis , food science , biology , chemistry , zoology , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , agronomy
The ability of Thermomonospora fusca, Thermomonospora curvata and Pseudonorcardia thermophila to grow on and hydrolyse pig faeces and straw was studied in a 6 d batch culture at 55°C. T. fusca produced the highest levels of cellulase activity (3·3 mg/ml/h) and the greatest cellulose reduction (from 25 to 6% dry wt) in a pig faeces medium (10 g/l). Replacing half the pig faeces with grass straw reduced the cellulose breakdown (29 to 18% dry wt). Increasing the concentration of pig faeces to 30 and 50 g/l caused a decrease in cellulose breakdown. To achieve similar cellulose reductions in straws required NaOH pretreatment. All fermentations resulted in significant increases in digestible protein. The celluloses produced by the strains growing on pig faeces exhibited greatest activity in the pH range 5·9–6·4.