| Comments |
"Results typical of total and individual rumen VFA concentrations as affected by diet are shown in Table 1.
Acetate predominates under most conditions, but substantial
amounts of propionate and butyrate are always
present (12, 102, 131, 296). Valeric and higher acids
usually constitute ~5% of the total. Diets rich in starch,
such as cereal grains, favor propionate production, and
in general, those diets that are rapidly fermented give
rise to less acetate. The pH of rumen fluid usually is in
the range of 5.8-6.8, but a rapid fermentation can lower
the pH to <5.0. This seems to encourage growth of organisms
that especially produce both propionate and
lactate (30,98)." |