Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Electron Microscopy as a Method to Evaluate Structure and Degradation of Plant Cell Walls

  • Chapter
Physico-Chemical Characterisation of Plant Residues for Industrial and Feed Use

Summary

The structure and degradation of plant cell walls can be evaluated by chemical methods, but such methods measure only the contents of cell wall components. Physical methods, such as electron microscopy, provide information on the distribution of such constituents both within and between cell walls. The ease of breakdown of different plant tissues and their selective attack by microorganisms in the rumen have been visualised by electron microscopy, which provides an understanding of the differences in digestibility that have been observed. The relationship between rumen microorganisms and plant tissues, and in particular, the adhesion of bacteria to cell walls have been demonstrated by this technique, which also made possible the relatively recent discovery of anaerobic fungi in the rumen. The limitations of electron microscopy reside in the necessity to select appropriate samples that are representative of the plant studied, and the present impossibility of obtaining quantitative results. Its future development is likely to be linked to that of immunocytochemistry which should permit the study of cell walls constituents and microbial enzyme secretion in far greater detail than is possible at present.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Grenet, E. and Barry, P. (1988). Dégradation microbienne dans le rumen du maÏs "brown midrib"observée au microscope électronique á balayage.Reproduction Nutrition Développement 28:125–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Grenet, E. and Barry, P. (1987). Etude microscopique de la digestion des parois végétales des téguments de soja et de colza dans le rumen.Reproduction Nutrition Développement,27:246–248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Akin, D.E. and Burdick, D. (1973). Microanatomical differences of warm-season grasses revealed by light and electron microscopy.Agronomy Journal 65:533.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Harbers, L.H.; Brazle, F.K.; Raiten, D.J. and Owensby, C.E. (1980). Microbial degradation of smooth brome and tall fescue observed by scanning electron microscopy.Journal of Animal Science 51:439–446.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Harbers, L.H.; Raiten, D.J. and Paulsen, G.M. (1981). The role of plant epidermal silica as a structural inhibitor of rumen microbial digestion in steers.Nutrition Reports International 24:1057–1066.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Shiro Saka, Thomas, J.R. and Gratzl, J.S. (1984). Lignin distribution by energy disposal. InDietary fibres, Chemistry and Nutrition.Inglett, G.E. and Falkehag, S.I. (eds). pp. 15–29. Academic Press: New York.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Czaninski, Y. (1979). Cytochimie ultrastructurale des parois du xyleme secondaire.Biology of the Cell 35:97–102.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Thiery, J.P. (1967). Mise évidence des polysaccharides sur coupes fines en microscopie electronique.Journal of Microscopy 6:987–1018.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Luft, J.H. (1971). Ruthenium red and violet. I - Chemistry, purification, methods of use for electron microscopy and mechanism of action.Anatomical Record 171:347–368.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Albersheim, P. (1965). A cytoplasmic component stained by hydroxylamine and iron. Protoplasma. 60: 131–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Coppick, S. and Fowler, W.F. (Jr.) (1939). The location of potential reducing substances in woody tissues.Paper Trade Journal81–86.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Engels, F.M. and Brice, R.E. (1985). A barrier covering lignified cell walls of barley straw that restricts access by rumen microorganisms.Current Microbiology.12:217–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Akin, D.E. and Burdick D. (1975). Percentage of tissue types in tropical and temperate grass leaf blades and degrdation of tissues by rumen microorganisms.Crop Science 15:661.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Akin, D.E. and Burdick, D. (1981). Relationships of different histochemical types of lignified cell walls to forage digestibility.Crop Science 21:577–581.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Akin, D.E. and Hogan, J.P. (1983). Sulphur fertilization and rumen microbial degradation of cell walls inDigitaria pentzii(Stent).Crop. Science 23:851–858.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Barry, P. and Grenet, E. (1988). Dégradation microbienne dans le rumen de la tige de blé á difféfents stades de développement, observée au microscope electronique á balayage.Reproduction Nutrition Dévelopement(in press).

    Google Scholar 

  17. Akin, D.E.; Robinson, E.L.; Barton II, F.E. and Himmelsbach, D.S. (1977). Changes with maturity in anatomy, histochemistry, chemistry and tissue digestibility of bermudagrass plant parts.Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 25:179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Barton,II, F.E. and Akin, D.E. (1977). Digestibility of delignified forage cell walls.Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 25:1299.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Spencer, R.R. and Akin, D.E. (1980). Rumen microbial degradation of potassium hydroxide-treated coastal bermudagrass leaf blades examined by electron microscopy.Journal of Animal Science 51:1189–1196.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Cheng, K.J.; Stewart, C.S.; Dinsdale, D. and Costerton, J.W. (1984). Electron microscopy of bacteria involved in the digestion of plant cell walls.Animal Feed and Science Technology 10:93–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Akin, D.E.; Barton,II, F.E. and Coleman, S.W. (1983). Structural factors affecting leaf degradation of old world bluestem and weeping love grass.Journal of Animal Science 56:1434–1446.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Wilson, J.R. and Hattersley, P.W. (1983). In vitro digestion of bundle sheath cells in rumen fluid and its relation to the suberized lamella and C4 photosynthetic type in Panicum species.Grass Forage Science 38:219–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Hastert, A.A.; Owensby, C.E. and Harbers, L.H. (1983). Rumen microbial degradation of indiangrass and big bluestem leaf blades.Journal of Animal Science 57:1626–1636.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Grenet, E. and Barry, P. (1986). Rumen microbial degradation of soyabean hulls, rape seed hulls and dehydrated beet pulp examined by scanning electron microscopy. Comparative aspects of physiology of digestion in ruminants. A satellite meeting of the XXX International Congress of the International Union of Physiological Sciences. Cornell University, July 21–29. pp. 16–17.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Akin, D.E. (1976). Ultrastructure of rumen bacterial attachment to forage cell walls.Applied and Environmental Microbiology 31:562.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Akin, D.E. (1980). Attack on lignified grass cell walls by a facultative anaerobic bacterium.Applied and Environmental Microbiology 40:809–820.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Akin, D.E. and Rigsby, L.L. (1985). Degradation of bermuda and orchard grass by species of ruminal bacteria.Applied and Environmental Microbiology 50:825–830.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Latham, M.J.; Brooker, B.E.; Pettipher, G.L. and Harris, P.J. (1978a). Ruminococcusflavefaciens cell coat and adhesion to cotton cellulose and cell walls in leaves of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne).Applied and Environmental Microbiology 35:156–165.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Latham, M.J.; Brooker, B.E.; Pettipher, G.L. and Harris, P.J. (1978b).Adhesion ofBacteroides succinogenesin pure culture and in the presence ofRuminococcus flavefaciensto cell walls in leaves of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne).Applied and Environmental Microbiology 35:1166–1173.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Fay, J.P.; Cheng, KJ. and Hanna, M.R. (1981). A scanning electron microscopy study of the invasion of leaflets of a bloat-safe and a bloat-causing legume by rumen microorganisms.Canadian Journal of Microbiology 27:390–399.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Akin, D.E. and Barton, II, F.E. (1983). Rumen microbial attachment and degradation of plant cell walls.Federation Proceedings 42:114–121.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Cheng, K.J.; Fay, J.P.; Howarth, R.E. and Costerton, J.W. (1980). Sequence of events in the digestion of fresh legume leaves by rumen bacteria.Applied and Environmental Microbiology 41:298–305.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Cheng, K.J.; Dinsdale, D. and Stewart, C.S. (1979). The maceration of clover and grass leaves by Lachnospira multiparus.Applied and Environmental Microbiology 38:723–729.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Cheng, K.J.; Brown, R.G. and Costerton, J.W. (1977). Characterization of a cytoplasmic reserve glucan from Ruminocuccus albus.Applied and Environmental Microbiology 33:718–724.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Dinsdale, D.; Morris, E.J. and Bacon, J.S.D. (1978). Electron microscopy of the microbial populations present and their modes of attachment on various cellulosic substrates undergoing digestion in the sheep rumen.Applied and Environmental Microbiology 36:160–168.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Stewart, C.S.; Dinsdale, D.; Cheng, K.J. and Paniagua, C. (1979). The digestion of straw in the rumen. InStraw decay and its effect on disposal and utilization.E. Grossbard (ed.) p. 123–130 Wiley Interscience.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Chesson, A.; Stewart, C.S., Dalgarno, K. and King, T.P. (1986). Degradation of isolated grass mesophyll, epidermis and fibre cell walls in die rumen and by cellulolytic rumen bacteria in axenic culture.Journal of Applied Bacteriology 60:327–336.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Amos, H.E. and Akin, D.E. (1978). Rumen protozoal degradation of structurally intact forage tissues.Applied and Environmental Microbiology 36:513–522.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Senaud, J.; Bohatier, J. and Grain, J. (1986). Comparaison du comportement alimentaire de 2 Protozoaires Cilies du rumen,Epidinium caudatumy Polyplastron multivesiculatum:mecanismes d’ingestion et de digestion.Reproduction Nutrition Developpement 26:287–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Bauchop, T. (1979). The rumen ciliate Epidinium in primary degradation of plant tissues.Applied and Environmental Microbiology 37:1217–1223.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Akin, D.E. and Amos, H.E. (1979). Mode of attack on orchard grass leaf blades by rumen protozoa.Applied and Environmental Microbiology 37:332–338.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Grain, J. and Semaud, J. (1984). New data on the degradation of fresh lucern fragments by the rumen ciliateEpidinum ecaudatum:attachment, ingestion and digestion.Canadian Journal of Animal Science 64:26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Akin, D.E.; Gordon, G.L.R. and Hogan, J.P. (1983). Rumen bacterial and fungal degradation ofDigitaria pentziigrown with or without sulfur.Applied and Environmental Microbiology 46:738–748.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Akin, D.E. (1987). Association of rumen fungi with various forage grasses.Animal Feed Science and Technology 16:273–285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Grenet, E. and Barry, P. (1987). Colonization of thick walled tissues by anaerobic rumen fungi.Animal Feed Science and Technology 19:25–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Bauchop. T. (1984). Rumen anaerobic fungi and the utilisation of fibrous feeds. InBiotechnology and Recombinant DNA Technology in the Animal Production Industries,Reviews in Rural Science 6. p. 118–123 (Leng, R.A., Barker, J.S.F., Adam, D.B. and Hutchinson, K.L. Eds).Symp. Univ. New Engl.Armidale, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Ho, Y.W.; Abdullah, N. and Jalaludin, S. (1988). Penetrating structures of anaerobic rumen fungi in cattle and swamp buffalo.Journal of General Microbiology 134:117–181.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Grenet, E.; Breton, A.; Barry, P. and Fonty, G. (1989). Rumen anaerobic fungi and plant substrate colonization as affected by diet composition. Animal Feed Science and Technology (in press).

    Google Scholar 

  49. Fonty, G.; Grenet, E.; Fevre, M.; Breton, A. and Gouet Ph. (1989). Biologie et fonctions des champignons anaérobies du rumen.Reproduction Nutrition Développement(in press).

    Google Scholar 

  50. Grenet, E.; Fonty, G. and Barry, P. (1988). Study of the degradation of maize and lucerne stems in the rumen of gnotobiotic lambs harbouring only fungi as cellulolytic microorganisms. Proceedings of the International Seminar on "The role of protozoa and fungi in ruminant digestion". Armidale, Australia (in press).

    Google Scholar 

  51. Munn, E.A.; Orpin, C.G. and Hall, F.J. (1981). Ultrastructural studies of the free zoospore of the rumen phycomyceteNeocallimastix frontalis. Journal of General Microbiology 125:311–323.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Yarlett, N.; Orpin, C.G.; Munn, E.A.; Yarlett, N.C. and Greenwood, C.A. (1986). Hydrogenosomes in the rumen fungusNeocallimastix partriciarum. Biochemical Journal 236:729–739.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Vian, B.; Brillouet, J.M. and Satiat-Jeunemaitre, B. (1983). Ultrastructural visualization of xylans in cell walls of hardwood by means of xylanase-gold complex.Biology of the Cell 49:179–182.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Ruel, K. and Joseleau, J.P. (1984). Use of enzyme-gold complexes for the ultrastructural localization of hemicelluloses in the plant cell wall.Histochemistry 81:573–580.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unité de I’Ingestion, Station de Recherches sur la Nutrition des Herbivores, INRA, Centre de Recherches de Clermont-Ferrand, Theix, 63122, Ceyrat, France

    E. Grenet

Authors
  1. E. Grenet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK

    A. Chesson  & E. R. Ørskov  & 

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1989 ECSC, EEC, EAEC, Brussles and Luxembourg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Grenet, E. (1989). Electron Microscopy as a Method to Evaluate Structure and Degradation of Plant Cell Walls . In: Chesson, A., Ørskov, E.R. (eds) Physico-Chemical Characterisation of Plant Residues for Industrial and Feed Use. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1131-4_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1131-4_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7001-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-1131-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation