Miron, J., Metabolic Unit, Institute of Animal Science, The Volcani Center, ARO, P. O. Box 6, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
Yokoyama, M.T., Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
Lamed, R., Department of Biotechnology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel

Pure cultures of the cellulolytic rumen bacterial strains Bacteroides succinogenes S85, Ruminococcus flavefaciens FD1 and Ruminococcus albus 7 were grown on lucerne cell walls (CW) or on cellobiose as the sole added carbohydrate substrate. Scanning electron microscopy visualization using cationized-feritin pretreatment have shown that cell surface topology of these strains grown on and attached to CW particles was specified by a dense coat of characteristic protuberant structures. In contrast, when grown on cellobiose, the surface topology of these bacterial strains was smoother, and contained fewer protuberant structures. The ability of these bacterial strains to attach to cellulose was higher for bacteria previously adapted to lucerne CW compared to cellobiose adaptation. Bacteroides succinogenes S85 was the best digester of lucerne CW (46.5%) and also had the best adhesion capability (65.6%) after adaption to grow on CW. © 1989 Springer-Verlag.