Explain the fermentability or degradability, Biology

Assignment Help:

Explain the Fermentability or Degradability?

As you are aware that colon contains over 400 known species of bacteria that exist in a symbiotic relationship with the host. All fibres are broken down to some extent by these microorganisms. Fermentation depends on the accessibility of the molecules to the microorganisms, which in turn depends on physical properties particularly solubility. Soluble fractions especially pectin, gums, mucilages and algal polysaccharides are very accessible and ferment rapidly. Insoluble fibre fraction ferment much more slowly. The first step in fermentation is the breakdown of polysaccharides, oligosaccharides and disaccharides to their monosaccharide subunits by hydrolytic enzymes of bacteria. Monosaccharides are further converted to various end products as seen in Figure.

1510_Fermentability or Degradability.png

Figure: Overview of carbohydrate fermentation on colon

According to the calculations by Cummings and Macfarlane, if approximately 20 g of fibre is fermented in the colon each day, 200 mM SCFA will be produced, of which 62% will be acetate, 25% propionate and 16% butyrate. Of these, butyrate is almost completely consumed by the colonic mucosa, while acetate and propionate enter the portal circulation. The mechanism by which SCFAs cross the colonic mucosa is thought to be a saturable process-passive diffusion of unionized acid into mucosal cells. In addition to these acids, other products of fibre fermentation are hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane gases that are excreted as flatus or expired by the lungs.


Related Discussions:- Explain the fermentability or degradability

Epidemiological theory - accident causation, Epidemiological Theory - Accid...

Epidemiological Theory - Accident Causation Epidemiological theory of accident causation considers industrial hygiene that concerns environmental issues and may result in sick

Define the term- life on earth, The article entitled "Life on Earth" is try...

The article entitled "Life on Earth" is trying to make the point that RNA likely included before DNA. Forthis article which of the following is false? A. Chains of RNA nucleoti

Adult circulation and the human fetal circulation, Q. Concerning the mixtur...

Q. Concerning the mixture of arterial with venous blood what is the difference between the adult circulation and the human fetal circulation? In the human fetal circulation the

Companion cells, Companion cells  are the specialized cells in the phloem w...

Companion cells  are the specialized cells in the phloem which load sugars into the sieve elements and help to maintain a functional plasma membrane in the sieve elements.

Explain regulatory enzymes, Explain Regulatory enzymes Regulatory enzy...

Explain Regulatory enzymes Regulatory enzymes:   Citrate  synthase,  isocitrate  dehydrogenase  and a-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex are the key  enzymes which  regulate

Vascular cambium, Vascular Cambium The vascular cambium usually, if no...

Vascular Cambium The vascular cambium usually, if not always, has a dual origin within the primary tissues; from provascular strands, and from the "ground" meristem tissues be

Pulp tissue revascularization, Pulp Tissue Revascularization :   Defi...

Pulp Tissue Revascularization :   Definition: Is the procedure to re-establish the vitality in non-vital tooth by allowing repair & regeneration of the tissues.

Transport of small molecules, The internal composition of the cell is maint...

The internal composition of the cell is maintained because the plasma membrane is selectively permeable to small molecules. A lot of biological molecules are unable to distribute b

Cavity development, A complete gut is sometimes called tube within a tube. ...

A complete gut is sometimes called tube within a tube. Why?

Conduction, Conduction An action potential occurs at one point along t...

Conduction An action potential occurs at one point along the axon. Yet we know that neurological impulses are not fixed, they travel along a neuron. So how can the action pote

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd