[Cellulosolytic bacteria of the genus Ruminococcus from cattle rumen]

Fifty-eight strains of cellulolytic cocci were isolated from the rumen of cows bred at different farms. These cultures were referred to Ruminococcus albus and Ruminococcus flavefaciens. Investigation of the rate of cellulose hydrolysis showed that the ruminococci were heterogeneous with respect to this parameter and could be classified into high-, medium-, and low-activity strains, hydrolyzing substrate in 50, 60-80, and 100 h, respectively. This rate was shown to be directly related (r = 0.69) to the capacity of ruminococci to adhere to the substrate.