Plant secondary metabolites as a potential source to inhibit methane production and improve animal performance

Abstract

Among all greenhouse gasses methane makes up 16% of total global GHG emissions which is probably the second most important gas after CO2 contributing to global warming. Methane has 23 times more global warming potential than carbon dioxide. In ruminants, approximately 95.5% of CH4 generation is produced by fermentation of feed in the rumen. Reduction in methane emission is associated with enhanced efficiency of nutrient utilization as well as it reduces impact of methane on global warming. The methane released by ruminants and its contribution to greenhouse effects has compelled nutritionists and microbiologists to explore some antimethanogenic substances preferably through natural sources for eco-friendly animal production. Alternate hydrogen sink such as sulphate etc. might prove to be a suitable option as these compounds also supply NPN and macro mineral. However, plant secondary metabolites (PSM) are natural components of plants having the ability to modify rumen fermentation without microbial resistance and without any residual effect on animal products. Here the effect of terminal electron acceptor (sulphate) and plant secondary metabolites (PSM) will be discussed.