The giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, is a uniquely adapted member of the family Ursidae in that they are herbivorous with their main source of food being a variety of species of bamboo. Studies have shown that the giant panda lacks the innate capability to create cellulases that are necessary in the degradation of its woody sustenance. A previous metagenomics analysis has identified several cellulolytic organisms and oleaginous organisms. Fresh panda fecal samples were collected from two captive bears residing at the Memphis Zoo and kept under anaerobic conditions. These fecal samples where then used to inoculate an anaerobic media and allowed to grow under varying cellobiose concentrations. Sugar content determination was performed using an ELSD detector, while lipid production was quantified using gas chromatography by way of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis.

Quantitative lipid analysis of gut microflora consortium in the Giant Panda

246th National Meeting (2013)

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