Abstract
MICROSCOPIC findings of Baker and his collaborators1 have repeatedly confirmed the observation of Henneberg2 that the microbial decomposition of carbohydrates in the gastro-intestinal tract may be accompanied by extensive synthesis of iodophile material within the bacterial cell. Where, as in the rumen microflora of the ox3, biochemical observations have been attempted, they have shown that the iodophile material is a polysaccharide. A knowledge of the mechanism of such synthesis is essential, therefore, to a fuller understanding of the chemical changes accompanying the microbial breakdown of dietary carbohydrates, including starch and cellulose, in the rumen and cæcum of various animal species.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
References 1933–47, Baker, F., and Harriss, S., Nutr. Abstr. Rev., 17, 3 (1947–48).
Henneberg, W., Zbl. Bakt., Ab. II, 55, 242 (1922).
Smith, J. A. B., and Baker, F., Biochem. J., 38, 496 (1944).
Baker, F., and Nasr, H., J. Roy. Micro. Soc., 67, 27 (1947).
Baker, F., Nasr, H., and Morrice, F., J. Gen. Microbiol., 3 (No. 1), Proc. xv (1948).
Percival, J. “Principles of Agricultural Microbiology’ (Duckworth, London, 1922).
Hehre, E. J., and Hamilton, D. M., J. Biol. Chem., 166, No. 2, 777 (1946).
Hehre, H., J. Bact., 55, No. 2, 197 (1948).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
NASR, H., BAKER, F. Microbial Synthesis of Iodophile Polysaccharide by a Clostridium from the Cæcum of the Pig. Nature 164, 745 (1949). https://doi.org/10.1038/164745a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/164745a0
This article is cited by
-
Formation and function of the glycogen-like polysaccharide ofArthrobacter
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1966)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.