LIGNIN-CARBOHYDRATE COMPLEXES IN FORAGES - STRUCTURE AND CONSEQUENCESIN THE RUMINAL DEGRADATION OF CELL-WALL CARBOHYDRATES

Lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCCs) are recognised as key structures in forage degradability. Apart from ester bonds involving phenolic aci ds, which seem to pray a major role in grasses, little is known about the other types of linkages that must exist but have proved difficult to demonstrate. The chemical nature of possible LCC linkages is presen ted and the Various mechanisms through which LCCs in the cell-wall arc hitecture may interfere with carbohydrate utilisation by rumen microor ganisms are discussed.