Effective reduction of enteric methane production by a combination of nitrate and saponin without adverse effect on feed degradability, fermentation, or bacterial and archaeal communities of the rumen.
This study evaluated the effects of Quillaja saponin (0.6 and 1.2g/L), propynoate (4 and 8mM), and nitrate (5 and 10mM), alone or in combinations, on methanogenesis, fermentation, bacterial and archaeal communities, and abundances of select ruminal microbial populations. All treatment decreased methane production, but combination of all three inhibitors at high dose achieved the greatest inhibition (85%). Propynoate, alone or in combination with nitrate or saponin, decreased feed degradability and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentrations. However, saponin and nitrate alone at high dose and in combination at low dose inhibited methanogenesis substantially while increasing feed degradability and TVFA concentrations. The abundances of methanogens were lowered by all inhibitors except saponin alone. Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens were increased by saponin, both alone and in combination with nitrate, but inhibited by propynoate. Combination of saponin and nitrate may have practical application in mitigating methane emission from ruminants.
Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Department of Animal Nutrition, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, 37 K.B. Sarani, Belgachia, Kolkata 700037, India. Electronic address: patra_amlan@yahoo.com.
Amlan Kumar
AK
Patra
Zhongtang
Z
Yu
D000480:Alkynes / Q000494:pharmacology; D000641:Ammonia / Q000378:metabolism; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001105:Archaea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D044822:Biodiversity; D002417:Cattle; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D058645:Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000378:metabolism; D005285:Fermentation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008697:Methane / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009566:Nitrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D011422:Propionates / Q000494:pharmacology; D012417:Rumen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology*; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000480:Alkynes; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D009566:Nitrates; D011422:Propionates; D012503:Saponins; D000641:Ammonia; D008697:Methane; C011537:propiolic acid
Feed degradability; Methane inhibitors; Microbial communities; Rumen fermentation