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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Gen Microbiol / Isolation of cellulolytic phycomycete fungi from the caecum ...
Journal of general microbiology1981; 123(2); 287-296; doi: 10.1099/00221287-123-2-287

Isolation of cellulolytic phycomycete fungi from the caecum of the horse.

Abstract: Microscopic examination of horse caecum contents revealed vegetative growth of phycomycete fungi on particles of digesta, and uniflagellated cells similar to fungal zoospores in the liquid phase. Three morphologically distinct isolates of strictly anaerobic phycomycete fungi were obtained from the caecum contents and cultured in vitro. Two of the isolates were able to utilize a wide range of plant carbohydrates for growth, including alpha-cellulose, xylan and particulate starch, and extensively digested water-insoluble plant tissues.
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Publication Date: 1981-04-01 PubMed ID: 7033458DOI: 10.1099/00221287-123-2-287Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study is about the identification of three kinds of anaerobic phycomycete fungi in the caecum of a horse, which are found to effectively break down plant-based substances like cellulose, xylan, and starch.

Identification of Fungi in Horse Caecum

  • The research starts off with microscopic examination of caecum content in horses. The caecum is a pouch-like structure in the digestive tract of horses where microbial fermentation primarily occurs.
  • The researchers observed phycomycete fungi – a type of water molds – growing on diet-induced particles in the caecum, which points to the fungi feeding on these elements. They also spotted cells akin to fungal zoospores, which happen to be the asexual reproductive units of fungi, present in the liquid part of the caecum.

Isolation and Culture of Fungi

  • Further, the researchers isolated three different strains of phycomycete fungi from the caecum. As these fungi thrived in oxygen-free or anaerobic conditions in the horse’s gut, it can be categorized as strictly anaerobic fungi.
  • The paper mentions that these isolates or collected samples were then cultured in a controlled environment, simulated outside the horse’s caecum, in a laboratory for further studies of their properties.

Utilization of Plant Carbohydrates by Fungi

  • Upon investigation, it was found that two of the isolated fungi could feed on various plant carbohydrates, such as alpha-cellulose, xylan, and starch. Alpha-cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls. Xylan is also a major component of plant cell walls, and starch is a common carbohydrate stored in plant tissues.
  • It was observed that, not only did the fungi feed on these plant carbohydrates, they also broke them down extensively. That makes these types of fungi very efficient at digesting insoluble plant tissues, a characteristic which may have potential applications in biotechnology.

Cite This Article

APA
Orpin CG. (1981). Isolation of cellulolytic phycomycete fungi from the caecum of the horse. J Gen Microbiol, 123(2), 287-296. https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-123-2-287

Publication

Journal of general microbiology
ISSN: 0022-1287
NlmUniqueID: 0375371
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 123
Issue: 2
Pages: 287-296

Researcher Affiliations

Orpin, C G

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Cecum / microbiology
    • Culture Media
    • Fungi / cytology
    • Fungi / isolation & purification
    • Horses / microbiology
    • Microscopy, Phase-Contrast

    Citations

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