Chemical reactors of the mammalian gastro-intestinal tract

J. M. Caton*, I. D. Hume

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study reviews and defines the classes of chemical reactors known in mammalian gastro-intestinal tracts, describing how they differ from the 'ideal reactors' of chemical engineering. Three classes of reactors are present in the mammalian guts: batch reactors, plug-flow reactors and continuous-flow, stirred-tank reactors. These are modified from the ideal types in two ways: firstly, the method of transport of reactants through a reactor; secondly, by continual absorption of products throughout the length of the reactor. To avoid confusion with the reactors of chemical engineering, gut reactors are defined as simple and complex types on the basis of their musculature. There are five types of chemical reactor found in mammalian gastro-intestinal tracts - semi-batch reactors (the caecum of caecum fermenters), simple plug-flow reactors (the small intestine), complex plug-flow reactors (the macropodid forestomach), simple continuous-flow, stirred-tank reactors (the unipartite stomach) and complex continuous-flow, stirred-tank reactors (the haustrated colon of colon fermenters). Application of chemical reactor theory to gut function is an important tool in understanding the relationships between morphology, diet chemistry, and digestive processes in mammals.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)33-50
Number of pages18
JournalZeitschrift fur Saugetierkunde
Volume65
Publication statusPublished - 2000

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