The Biological Decomposition of Cellulose

Boswell, J. G.

doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.1941.tb07026.x

Cited by 23 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The recalcitrant characteristic of cellulose has been also documented in previous studies (Miltner and Zech, 1998;Boer et al, 2005), although studies on comparisons between starch and cellulose are scarce. The difference in decomposability between starch and cellulose can be explained by the higher energy required to break down cellulose than starch into consumable substances such as glucose (Boswell, 1941).…”

Section: Polysaccharides Decompositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil aggregate formation and stability induced by starch and cellulose

Mizuta

Taguchi

Sato

2015

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

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Section: Polysaccharides Decompositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil aggregate formation and stability induced by starch and cellulose

Mizuta

Taguchi

Sato

2015

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

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“…The fact that the wheat contains a higher amount of cellulose (59 %) than safflower contains(40 %) (Del Río et al, 2012;Schjønning et al, 2004;Smith, 1996), and that the decomposition rate of cellulose is fairly slow (Boswell, 1941) can help explain the higher rates of TC content in the WCA. Another reason for the higher rates of carbon content in the WCA can be associated with a higher rate of C : N ratio for the wheat compared to the safflower.…”

Section: Total Carbonmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of wheat and safflower cultivation areas in terms of total carbon and some soil properties under semi-arid climate conditions

Turgut

2015

Solid Earth

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Abstract. The aim of this study was to compare the soils of the wheat cultivation area (WCA) and the safflower cultivation area (SCA) within semi-arid climate zones in terms of their total carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur contents, particle size distribution, aggregate stability, organic matter content, and pH values. This study presents the results from the analyses of 140 soil samples taken at two soil layers (0-10 and 10-20 cm) in the cultivation areas. At the end of the study, it was established that there were significant differences between the cultivation areas in terms of soil physical properties such as total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), total sulphur (TS) contents and pH, while only the TN content was significantly different between the two soil layers. Moreover, significant differences were identified between the cultivation areas in terms of soil physical properties including clay and sand contents, aggregate stability, and organic matter content, whereas the only significant difference found among the soil layers was that of their silt content. Since safflower contains higher amounts of biomass than wheat, we found higher amounts of organic matter content and, therefore, higher amounts of TN and TS content in the soils of the SCA. In addition, due to the fact that wheat contains more cellulose -which takes longer to decompose -the TC content of the soil in the WCA was found to be higher than that in the SCA. The results also revealed that the WCA had a higher carbon storage capacity.

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“…Cowles & Rettger (1931) studied a cellulose-splitting anaerobe isolated from various sources including cow's faeces, and found that while glucose was not attacked arabinose and xylose were not only attacked but were used in preference to cellulose. The suggestion has been advanced (Winogradsky, 1929;Boswell, 1941 ; Walker & Warren, 1938) on the basis of results obtained with aerobic organisms that oxidation of side-chain carbon atoms of the cellulose molecule giving a polyuronide type followed possibly by decarboxylation yielding pentosan precedes hydrolysis of the polysaccharide. Whether a similar process might take place anaerobically is not established; however, it would well explain the results of Khouvine and of Cowles & Rettger.…”

Section: Digestive Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digestion in the Ruminant

McAnally

Phillipson

1944

Biological Reviews

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Summary 1. The diet of ruminants is peculiar in that it contains large quantities of cellulose and other carbohydrates which are indigestible except by the aid of bacteria; it is probable that the numerous protozoa of the rumen do not play a vital part in digestion. 2. Food passes to the fermentation chamber formed by the reticulum and rumen where it is kept in continual motion by rhythmic contractions of this organ. Regurgitation is caused by an inspiratory effort with a closed glottis; the bolus after being remasticated returns to the fermentation chamber. 3. Passage of ingesta from the rumen is slow and spread out over a period of days. Digestion is more efficient in the ruminant than in the horse and pig owing to the greater time spent by the food in its alimentary tract rather than owing to the act of remastication. 4. The voluminous secretion of saliva is responsible for the maintenance of a moisture content and reaction of the ingesta of the rumen suitable for the bacterial fermentation of carbohydrate. The conditions are anaerobic, since carbon dioxide and methane are the chief gases present, oxygen being found only in traces, if at all. 5. The breakdown of cellulose and other carbohydrates is accomplished mainly by bacteria, though plant enzymes may play a minor part. The products of this fermentation are largely carbon dioxide, methane and the volatile fatty acids, though it has been suggested that a starch‐like polysaccharide is synthesized. The degree of digestion of cellulose is affected by the other constituents of the diet. 6. The rate and degree of digestion observed by the use of an indigestible constituent of the food as an index show that the total digestion and in particular that of cellulose in the rumen is considerable within 14 hr.; this is supported by measurements of the rate of evolution of methane. 7. Absorption of the volatile fatty acids and of certain drugs has been proved to occur from the rumen. 8. Fermentation is not confined to the rumen; it also occurs in the caecum of the ruminant. The authors are greatly indebted to Sir Joseph Barcroft, F.R.S., for his constructive criticism and help in the preparation of the manuscript.

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The Biological Decomposition of Cellulose

Cited by 23 publications

References 42 publications

Soil aggregate formation and stability induced by starch and cellulose

Soil aggregate formation and stability induced by starch and cellulose

Comparison of wheat and safflower cultivation areas in terms of total carbon and some soil properties under semi-arid climate conditions

Digestion in the Ruminant

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