IN VITRO DEGRADATION OF MIMOSINE BY MICROORGANISMS FROM THE ESOPHAGEAL SAC OF VOLES (Microtus arvalis)

Abstract

The microbiota in the esophageal sac of voles fed either cubed alfalfa hay or concentrate pellets were assayed to determine their capacity to anaerobically degrade mimosine in vitro. Differences (P < 0.01) were found between the two diets during the growth phase. The sac contents of voles fed concentrate pellets degraded mimosine and 3-hydroxy-4-(1H)-pyridone (DHP) rapidly, but inocula from voles fed cubed alfalfa hay only hydrolyzed mimosine to DHP. Degradation of the pyridine ring occurred at the early stage of incubation, concurrently with microbial growth. Thereafter, degradation rates appear to have been almost negligible and very similar for both diets. These results agree with previous data obtained with ruminal microorganisms, where highly active inocula were also associated with animals on concentrate diets. Key words: Detoxification, hydrolysis, esophageal sac, mimosine, 3-hydroxy-4- (1H)-pyridone, voles