Effects of Tween 60 and Tween 80 on protease activity, thiol group reactivity, protein adsorption, and cellulose degradation by rumen microbial enzymes.

Microbial enzymes extracted from mixed ruminal microorganisms were incubated for 2 h with casein and Tween 60 or Tween 80 at 10 concentrations ranging from 0 to 2.0% (vol/vol) to determine the effects of these nonionic surfactants on protease activation and thiol reactivity (unmasking of thiol groups). Rate and extent of protein adsorption to cellulosic substrate (barley straw) was measured in the presence of 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.25, and 0.50% (vol/vol) Tween 80. Degradation of cellulose by a rumen bacterial fraction was measured over 48 h of incubation with and without Tween 60 or Tween 80 at 0.25% (vol/vol). Maximum accelerations of protease activity achievable with Tween 60 and Tween 80 (calculated from a Michaelis-Menten kinetics model) were 99.2 and 166.8%, respectively. Concentrations of Tween 60 and Tween 80 at which half the maximal velocities were attained were 0.28 and 0.20% (vol/vol), respectively. Tween 80 increased (P < 0.05) the rate and extent of adsorption of microbial protein to barley straw, and the effect was related to concentration of Tween 80 up to 0.10% (vol/vol). Initial rates of cellulose degradation with no surfactant, 0.25% Tween 60, or 0.25% Tween 80 were 0.60, 0.87, and 1.04 micrograms/ml per h, respectively. These nonionic surfactants were effective for enhancing rumen microbial protease and cellulase activities. Thus, further study is warranted to determine their potential for improving ruminant feeding.