The Distribution of Enzymes and Bacteria in the Small Intestines of Slaughter Pigs

Abstract

l'he activity and distribution of proteinases and their inhibitors, lipasrs and arnylasrs as wc-ll as the composition of the bacterial flora throughout small intestines of 20 slaughter pigs were investigated. It was demonstrated that the intestines were partly in contraction, partly in relaxation and that the contracted regions had no ingesta, only a scarce and mucous content. This type of content possessed no proteolytic activity while lipolytic and starchsplitting activities as well as inhibitory substances against proteinasr were always presrnt. 'l'he contracted parts, which presented no regularity as to their length and localization, often appeared to be sterile. In the feed-containing, relaxed regions of the intrstines, the digestive enzymes examined were always present in high concentrations. 'l'heir activity was quite constant in all segments of the intestine. The proteolytic activity was partly based on trypsin. 'I'he main microorganisms found were Z,actobocillus sps., a-haemolytic streptococci and lactosepositive enterobacteria (coliforrn). The qiiantitativc 1)actcriologicul findings varied considerably.