Effect of pH on biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and their Ca-salts by rumen microorganisms in vitro.

The influence of different pH values on the protection of Ca-salts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) against ruminal biohydrogenation was investigated. Ca-salts were prepared from soya bean oil fatty acids (SOH) and incubated in vitro with rumen fluid at different pH values. Biohydrogenation of Ca-salts of the PUFA's and their corresponding free fatty acids in SOH was compared. Two series of incubations were carried out, a first series with pH varying between 6.9 and 5.5, while in the second series, a narrower pH range was studied (6.8-6.3). The experiments showed that between pH 6.9 and 6.3, Ca-salts of PUFA's are partly protected against biohydrogenation. Ca-salt of linoleic acid was protected to a greater extent than Ca-linolenate. Biohydrogenation of the salts is most probably due to dissociation of the solubilized Ca-salts. For efficient protection of Ca-salts of PUFA's against hydrogenation, maintenance of pH values above 6.3 will be necessary.