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Volatile Fatty Acids in the Rumen of the Sheep

Nature volume 167, page 954 (1951)Cite this article

Abstract

EARLY workers in the field of ruminant physiology were aware of the presence in the rumen fluid of a number of the lower members of the saturated fatty acid series1; but accurate data were not reported until recently, when partition chromatography became available as a procedure for the analysis of complex mixtures of these acids. Acetic, propionic and butyric acids were then established as the main components of the mixture in the rumen fluid of sheep and other ruminants. It was claimed that traces of acid or acids higher than butyric acid were indicated, but that no formic acid was present2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Biochemistry and General Nutrition, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Adelaide

    F. V. GRAY, A. F. PILGRIM, H. J. RODDA & R. A. WELLER

Authors
  1. F. V. GRAY
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  2. A. F. PILGRIM
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  3. H. J. RODDA
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  4. R. A. WELLER
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GRAY, F., PILGRIM, A., RODDA, H. et al. Volatile Fatty Acids in the Rumen of the Sheep. Nature 167, 954 (1951). https://doi.org/10.1038/167954a0

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