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Two Alfalfa Factors with Cellulolytic Activity for Rumen Microorganisms

Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Animal Industry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Two cellulolytic factors from alfalfa meal have been isolated. The technique involved acid-extraction of alfalfa leaf meal, precipitation of the extract with ethanol, extraction of the ethanol filtrate with ether and chloroform, adsorption and elution of the solvent insoluble fraction on fuller's earth and Darco. Paper chromatography was used to separate ninhydrin-positive compounds present in the Darco eluate. These compounds were eluted from the chromatograms and tested for cellulolytic activity by in vitro rumen techniques.

Significant increases in cellulose digestion were attributed to the Darco eluate and to two ninhydrin-positive substances isolated from this eluate. On a paper chromatogram the active compounds moved more slowly than most of the common amino acids, migrating between known samples of L-lysine and L-cystine. They exist in bound form in alfalfa meal but can be released by acid hydrolysis.