THE ROLE OF BACTERIA IN THE DIGESTION OF SEAWEED BY THE ABALONE HALIOTIS-MIDAE

The polysaccharolytic enzymes of the abalone Haliotis midae and its re sident gut bacteria were investigated. Bacteria isolated from the abal one gut were able to degrade the polysaccharides laminarin, carboxymet hylcellulose (CMC), alginate, agarose and carrageenan. Detection of al ginate lyase, CMCase, laminarinase, agarase and carrageenase in the he patopancreas, which was devoid of bacteria, indicated that H. midae pr oduces a range of polysaccharases. The endogenous polysaccharases of a balone fed either Ecklonia maxima or Gracilaria verrucosa varied in re sponse to diet. It is proposed that bacteria resident in the digestive system of H. midae assist in the digestion of alginate, laminarin, ag arose, carrageenan and cellulose. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.