Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement (I): Ruminant milk fat contains lower saturated fatty acids compared to non-ruminant milk
Statement (II): Digestive enzymes of ruminants will hydrogenate dietary fat
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

• A. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are correct.
• B. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are incorrect.
• C. Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.
• D. Statement (I) is incorrect but Statement (II) is correct.

Hint:

Remember that biohydrogenation is a bacterial process that occurs in the rumen. It is carried out by microbial enzymes, not the host animal's digestive enzymes, and it leads to a very high level of saturated fatty acids in ruminant milk fat.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Ruminant animals possess a specialized digestive system where the rumen microbiome significantly alters dietary lipids before they reach the lower digestive tract for absorption and subsequent secretion into milk.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Statement (I): Dietary lipids consumed by ruminants are rich in unsaturated fatty acids.
- However, the microbial population in the rumen performs extensive anaerobic biohydrogenation, converting these unsaturated lipids into saturated fatty acids.
- As a result, ruminant milk fat actually contains higher levels of saturated fatty acids (typically around 60--70%) compared to non-ruminant milk. Thus, Statement (I) is incorrect.
- Statement (II): The process of hydrogenation (biohydrogenation) of dietary fat is carried out entirely by the metabolic activity of rumen microorganisms (specifically anaerobic bacteria like Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens), not by the endogenous digestive enzymes synthesized by the host ruminant. Thus, Statement (II) is incorrect.

Step 3: Final Answer
Since both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are factually incorrect, the correct option is (B).