ISSN:
1572-9729
Keywords:
tannin-protein complex
;
gallate
;
pyrogallol
;
phloroglucinol
;
koala
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract The metabolic pathways involved in degradation of tannin-protein complex (T-PC) were investigated in various facultatively anaerobic bacteria, with specific reference to fecal isolates from the koala including T-PC-degrading enterobacteria (T-PCDE),Streptococcus bovis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, andK. oxytoca. It was demonstrated that T-PCDE andS. bovis biotype I were capable of degrading protein complexed with gallotannin (a hydrolyzable tannin), but not that complexed with quebracho (a condensed tannin). Subsequent studies showed that these strains metabolized gallic acid to pyrogallol. Strains ofKlebsiella pneumoniae andK. oxytoca, which did not degrade T-PC, also metabolized gallic acid into pyrogallol. Pyrogallol was not degraded by any strains studied, but it was not detected in fresh feces of the koalas. The majority of strains isolated from feces could degrade phloroglucinol. Based on these findings, we propose that members of the gut microflora of the koala cooperate in the degradation of T-PC.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00702325
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