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

Tonicity and the plant cells., Potato type: Potato A: Beginning displaceme...

Potato type: Potato A: Beginning displacement (ml)= Ending displacement (ml) = Potato B: Beginning displacement (ml)= Ending displacement (ml) = Potato type: Potato A: Beginn

Illustrate the dna fragments using gel electrophoresis, Which of the follow...

Which of the following statements regarding the separation of DNA fragments using gel electrophoresis is false? A. DNA fragments will migrate towards the positively charged ele

Unilateral incompatibility, Unilateral Incompatibility This relates to...

Unilateral Incompatibility This relates to incompatibility that operates in one direction. The most common way to ascertain unilateral incompatibility is to perform crosses be

Explain the classification of malignant tumors, Explain the Classification ...

Explain the Classification of Malignant Tumors Malignant tumors can be classified as: Carcinomas: These tumors arise from the epithelial lining (the squamous cells) e.g. ski

Assessment of iron status - haemoglobin and haematocrit, Define Assessment ...

Define Assessment of iron status - Haemoglobin and Haematocrit? In the final stages of iron deficiency, anaemia occurs. Haemoglobin and Haematocrit levels indicate prevalence o

Homeostasis, why should shivering contribute to heat gain in the body?

why should shivering contribute to heat gain in the body?

Surveys - accidents in industries, Surveys - Accidents in Industries T...

Surveys - Accidents in Industries The surveys done in industries have pointed out that leading cause of accidents is the overexertion or workers working beyond their physical

Nutrient elements of plants, Nutrient Elements of Plants Let us first ...

Nutrient Elements of Plants Let us first find out the chemical composition of plants and see which element nature has selected to support their healthy growth. Only then we wi

What is sarcoplasmic reticulum, An increase in the calcium conductance of a...

An increase in the calcium conductance of all sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes of a skeletal muscle with no external forces on it leads to A. an increase in the amount of calci

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