Effects of ß-Carotene and -Tocopherol on Rumen Bacteria in the Utilization of Long-chain Fatty Acids and Cellulose

¹ Department of Agriculture, Meiji University, Higashimita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, 214 Japan

Addition of safflower oil to a growth medium depressed the growth of mixed rumen bacteria above 200 mg/L and did not significantly increase bacteria, even at lower concentrations. However, when 10 mg/L of ß-carotene were added to 50 to 100 mg/L of safflower oil, bacterial growth was significantly increased. When more than 200 mg/L of safflower oil were present, ß-carotene markedly restored the growth capacity. -Tocopherol was more effective than ß-carotene, although it inhibited growth at high concentrations. The combination of ß-carotene and -tocopherol (each 5 mg/L) exerted partially additive effects. ß-Carotene plus a-tocopherol enhanced bacterial cell yield in the presence of safflower oil, caprate, stearate, or linoleate, suggesting that ß-carotene and -tocopherol increase the utilization of fatty acids. ß-Carotene plus -tocopherol also stimulated cellulose digestion in the presence of 100 mg/L of safflower oil, evidently through the increased growth of cellulolytic bacteria.

Key Words: rumen bacteria • long-chain fatty acids • ßbeta;-carotene • -tocopherol

Submitted on June 22, 1992
Accepted on September 17, 1992

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