Evaluation and Isolation of Phytin Phosphohydrolyzing Bacterial Population in the Rumen

A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate phytin phosphohydrolysis actlVlty in the rumen and to isolate phytase positive rumen bacteria. Endogenous phytase activity of wheat bran was estimated and compared with that of bacterial phytin phosphohydrolysis. Substantial phytase activity was detected in wheat bran during in vitro rumen incubation. Bacterial phytase activity was suggested not to be high. Only two facultative anaerobes, Klebsiella sp. and Corynebacterium sp. were isolated as phytase producing organisms. These belonged to a minor microbial group in the rumen population. Protozoal fraction showed an initial velocity of phytin phosphohydrolysis 7 times higher than the bacterial fraction.