Effects of cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer) extracts on physiology of rumen fungus: Neocallimastix frontalis EB188
Year: 2002
Type: article
Abstract: The perennial legume cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L. CMV) would be more useful as ruminant feed if problems associated with its digestion could be reduced. Poor cellulose conversion in ruminants might be a consequence of microbial inhibitory compound(s) within the plant structure. Our research involves measuring the effect of cicer milkvetch extracted with different solvent systems on the physiology of rumen anaerobic fungus: Neocallimastix frontalis EB 188. Fungal growth and enzyme production was inhibited by the addition of materials extracted from powdered CMV using carbohydrate-free medium, ethanol, acetone, but was not inhibited by the addition of ether extractables (p<0.05). The fungal growth inhibiting factor could not be eliminated by autoclaving, micro-filtration or membrane filtration. Dialysis decreased the factor's inhibitory effect. Both proteinase treatment and protein precipitation of extract containing the inhibitor factor failed to reduce the inhibition of fungal physiology. Collectively these results suggest that inhibitory components are soluble in non polar solvents, likely non-proteinaceous, less than 30 Kda in molecular weight, not alkaloid in nature and may act as a fungicide.
Authors: Jong‐Soo Chang, Roger E. Calza
Language: English
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $370
OpenAlex ID: W307211599