Diurnal variations in the activities of hydrolytic enzymes in different fractions of rumen contents of Murrah buffalo

The hydrolytic enzymes like carboxymethylcellulase, alpha-amylase, xylanase, microcrystalline cellulase and filter paper degrading activities were estimated in various fractions of rumen contents of Murrah buffalo. About 80-92% of the enzyme activities were associated with the particulate material, while only a negligible portion. (1-4%) was present as extracellular fraction in the liquid portion of rumen contents. Rest of the activities (8-15%) were associated with freely suspended microbial cells irt the liquid portion of the rumen contents. Maximum activities of carboxymethylcellulase, alpha-amylase, xylanase and micro-crystalline cellulase were observed at 2h post feeding while in the case of filter paper degrading activity, there was no difference in the activities in the first 4 hours of offering feed to the animals.