• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.285-294
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• 2011

The abatement of methane emission from ruminants is an important global issue due to its contribution to greenhouse gas with carbon dioxide. Methane is generated in the rumen by methanogens (archaea) that utilize metabolic hydrogen ($H_2$) to reduce carbon dioxide, and is a significant electron sink in the rumen ecosystem. Therefore, the competition for hydrogen used for methanogenesis with alternative reductions of rumen microbes should be an effective option to reduce rumen methanogenesis. Some methanogens parasitically survive on the surface of ciliate protozoa, so that defaunation or decrease in protozoa number might contribute to abate methanogenesis. The most important issue for mitigation of rumen methanogenesis with manipulators is to secure safety for animals and their products and the environment. In this respect, prophylactic effects of probiotics, prebiotics and miscellaneous compounds to mitigate rumen methanogenesis have been developed instead of antibiotics, ionophores such as monensin, and lasalocid in Japan. Nitrate suppresses rumen methanogenesis by its reducing reaction in the rumen. However, excess intake of nitrate causes intoxication due to nitrite accumulation, which induces methemoglobinemia. The nitrite accumulation is attributed to a relatively higher rate of nitrate reduction to nitrite than nitrite to ammonia via nitroxyl and hydroxylamine. The in vitro and in vivo trials have been conducted to clarify the prophylactic effects of L-cysteine, some strains of lactic acid bacteria and yeast and/or ${\beta}$1-4 galactooligosaccharide on nitrate-nitrite intoxication and methanogenesis. The administration of nitrate with ${\beta}$1-4 galacto-oligosaccharide, Candida kefyr, and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis were suggested to possibly control rumen methanogenesis and prevent nitrite formation in the rumen. For prebiotics, nisin which is a bacteriocin produced by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis has been demonstrated to abate rumen methanogenesis in the same manner as monensin. A protein resistant anti-microbe (PRA) has been isolated from Lactobacillus plantarum as a manipulator to mitigate rumen methanogenesis. Recently, hydrogen peroxide was identified as a part of the manipulating effect of PRA on rumen methanogenesis. The suppressing effects of secondary metabolites from plants such as saponin and tannin on rumen methanogenesis have been examined. Especially, yucca schidigera extract, sarsaponin (steroidal glycosides), can suppress rumen methanogenesis thereby improving protein utilization efficiency. The cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL), or cashew shell oil, which is a natural resin found in the honeycomb structure of the cashew nutshell has been found to mitigate rumen methanogenesis. In an attempt to seek manipulators in the section on methane belching from ruminants, the arrangement of an inventory of mitigation technologies available for the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI) in the Kyoto mechanism has been advancing to target ruminant livestock in Asian and Pacific regions.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.139-146
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• 2014

This research was conducted to examine the temporal methane ($CH_4$) and nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) emission trends in livestock agriculture from year 1990 to 2011 with Tier 1 national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory reporting method, which was related to efforts of decreasing GHG emissions and to achievement of voluntary GHG mitigation target. Methane emissions from enteric fermentation were calculated with default $CH_4$ emission factors of IPCC. Methane and $N_2O$ emissions from manure treatment processes were calculated with Tier 1 and mixture of Tier 1 and Tier 2 including $N_2O$ emission factors of manure treatment systems and nitrogen excretion rate of livestock, respectively. According to 2013 National GHG Inventory Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification report, GHG emission fluctuations from enteric fermentation and manure treatment processes were similarto livestock head fluctuation. GHG emissions from enteric fermentation were mainly affected by beef cattle including Hanwoo, while manure treatment processes were affected by various livestock.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.320-326
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• 2016

From the perspective of climate-smart agriculture, it is becoming more critical to accurately estimate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector. In order to accurately ascertain the methane emissions from rice paddies, which account for a significant portion of the emission from the agricultural sector, we used the data from the 2010 Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Census, the revised water management scaling factors and their calculation program. In order to facilitate the analyses and understanding, the results were mapped using the ArcGIS software. The fact that the validation of the mapped values against the actual field measurements at one site showed little difference encourages the necessity to further this study. The administrative districts-based map of methane emission can help clearly identify the regional differences. Furthermore, the analysis of their major controlling factors will provide important scientific basis for the practical policy makings for methane mitigation.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.322-329
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• 2017

Two pilot-scale biocovers (PBCs) were installed in a landfill, and the methane ($CH_4$) concentrations at their inlets and outlets were monitored for 240 days to evaluate the methane removability. Consequently, the packing materials were sampled from the PBCs, and their potential $CH_4$ oxidizing abilities were evaluated in serum vials. The $CH_4$ concentration at the inlet of the biocovers was observed to be in the range of 23.7-47.9% (average = 41.3%, median = 42.6%). In PBC1, where a mixture of soil, earthworm cast, and compost (7:2:1, v/v) was employed as the packing material, the $CH_4$ removal efficiency was evaluated to be between 60.7-85.5%. In PBC2, which was filled with a mixture of soil, earthworm cast, perlite, and compost (4:2:3:1, v/v), the removal efficiency was evaluated to be between 29.2-78.5%. Although the packing materials had an excellent $CH_4$ oxidizing potential (average oxidation rate for $CH_4=180-199{\mu}g\;CH_4{\cdot}g\;packing\;material^{-1}{\cdot}h^{-1}$), $CH_4$ removal efficiency in PBC1 and PBC2 decreased to the range of 0-30% once the packing materials in the PBCs were clogged and channeled. Furthermore, seasonal effects exhibited no significant differences in the $CH_4$ removal efficiency of the biocovers. The results of this study can be used to design and operate real-scale biocovers in landfills to mitigate $CH_4$ buildup.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) has been proposed for sustainable agriculture and food security in an agricultural ecosystem disturbed by climate change. However, scientific approaches to local agricultural ecosystems to realize CSA are rare. This study attempted to evaluate the weather condition, rice production, and greenhouse gas emissions from the rice cultivation in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do to fulfill CSA of the rice cultivation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Over the past 3 years (2017~2019), Chucheong rice cultivar yield and methane emissions were analyzed from the rice field plot (37°13'15"N, 127° 02'22"E) in the Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services located in Gisan-dong, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do. Methane samples were collected from three automated closed chambers installed in the plot. The weather data measured through automatic weather station located in near the plot were analyzed. CONCLUSION(S): The rice productivity was found to vary with weather environment in the agricultural ecosystem. And methane emissions are high in a favorable weather condition for rice growth. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the trade-off between the greenhouse gas emission target for climate change mitigation and productivity improvement for CSA in a local rice cultivation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.743-748
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• 2020

Sulfate is a reductant that competes for electrons and may lower CH₄ production in the rumen. This study was designed to evaluate the beneficial effect of detoxified sulfur powder supplementation on in vitro rumen fermentation and methane mitigation. A ruminally cannulated Holstein Friesian cow was used as a rumen fluid source, and commercial pelleted concentrate was used as a substrate at 1 g dry matter. Treatments included the addition of detoxified sulfur powder at the rate of 0% (Control), 0.2% (T1), 0.4% (T2), 0.6% (T3), 0.8% (T4), and 1.0% (T5) as dry matter (DM) basis. The pH, total gas (TG), methane (CH₄) production, DM digestibility, organic matter (OM) digestibility, and volatile fatty acids (VFA) production were analyzed after 12 hr of incubation. The results showed that CH₄ production was significantly lowest in T1 (13.78 ml) but highest in the control (20.16 ml). Insignificantly higher total VFA was observed in control and T1 (64.99 and 64.28 mM, respectively) compared to other treatments after 12 hr of incubation. After 12 hr of incubation, the significantly lowest acetate:propionate was observed in T1 (1.90) while the highest was observed in T4 (2.44). However, no significant differences were recorded for pH, TG, DM digestibility, OM digestibility, acetate, propionate, and butyrate between the control and T1. Total number of bacterial DNA copies was significantly lower in the treatment group than the control. Therefore, it can be concluded from this study that detoxified sulfur at 0.2% inclusion level is optimal for production performance and ruminal CH₄ mitigation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.295-302
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• 2011

Almost half of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions arise from agriculture and enteric methane ($CH_4 $) emissions arising from ruminant animals constitute 30% of total $CO_2$-e emissions. Enteric $CH_4$ emissions have increased by 9% since 1990. Extensive research has been undertaken to develop reliable methods for measuring enteric $CH_4$ emissions. New Zealand studies using the SF6 tracer technique suggest that on average this technique yields similar values to the 'gold' standard of calorimetry, but with a larger variance. National inventory estimates based on results obtained using the $SF_6$ technique will therefore overestimate the uncertainty. Mitigating emissions can be achieved by changing feed type but there are practical and cost barriers to the use of alternative feeds. Forages containing condensed tannins do reduce emissions but are agronomically inferior to the forages currently used. Rumen additives have shown some success in-vitro but results from in-vivo trials with both monensin and fumaric acid have been disappointing. The development of methods for directly manipulating rumen microorganisms are at an early stage and work to develop vaccines that can inhibit methanogenesis has yielded mixed results. The successful identification of sheep with contrasting $CH_4$ yields raises the possibility that, in the long term, a breeding approach to $CH_4$ mitigation is feasible.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 3-nitrooxypropanol (NOP) on gas production, rumen fermentation, and animal performances depending on animal type using a meta-analysis approach. A database consisted of data from 14 studies, 18 experiments and 55 treatments. The supplementation of NOP linearly decreased methane (CH₄) emissions [g/kg dry matter intake (DMI)] regardless of animal type and length of experimental period (beef, p < 0.0001, R² = 0.797; dairy, p = 0.0003, R² = 0.916; and long term, p < 0.0001, R² = 0.910). The total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration and the proportion of acetate, based on beef cattle database, were significantly decreased with increasing NOP supplementation (p = 0.0015, R² = 0.804 and p = 0.0003, R² = 0.918), whereas other individual VFAs was increased. Based on the dairy database, increasing levels of NOP supplementation linearly decreased proportion of acetate (p = 0.0284, R² = 0.769) and increased that of valerate (p = 0.0340, R² = 0.522), regardless of significant change on other individual VFAs. In animal performances, the DMI, from beef cattle database, tended to decrease when the levels of NOP supplementation increased (p = 0.0574, R² = 0.170), whereas there was no significant change on DMI from dairy cattle database. The NOP supplementation tended to decrease milk yield (p = 0.0606, R² = 0.381) and increase milk fat and milk protein (p = 0.0861, R² = 0.321, p = 0.0838, R² = 0.322). NOP is a viable candidate as a feed additive because of its CH₄ mitigation effects, regardless of animal type and experiment period, without adverse effects on animal performances.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1442-1448
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• 2015

The objectives of this study were to determine the molecular weight of condensed tannins (CT) extracted from mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L) peel, its protein binding affinity and effects on fermentation parameters including total gas, methane ($CH_4$) and volatile fatty acids (VFA) production. The average molecular weight ($M_w$) of the purified CT was 2,081 Da with a protein binding affinity of 0.69 (the amount needed to bind half the maximum bovine serum albumin). In vitro gas production declined by 0.409, 0.121, and 0.311, respectively, while CH4 production decreased by 0.211, 0.353, and 0.549, respectively, with addition of 10, 20, and 30 mg CT/500 mg dry matter (DM) compared to the control (p<0.05). The effects of CT from mangosteen-peel on in vitro DM degradability (IVDMD) and in vitro N degradability was negative and linear (p<0.01). Total VFA, concentrations of acetic, propionic, butyric and isovaleric acids decreased linearly with increasing amount of CT. The aforementioned results show that protein binding affinity of CT from mangosteen-peel is lower than those reported for Leucaena forages, however, the former has stronger negative effect on IVDMD. Therefore, the use of mangosteen-peel as protein source and $CH_4$ mitigating agent in ruminant feed requires further investigations.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.977-987
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• 2019

Objective: The use of tannin extract and other phytochemicals as dietary additives in ruminants is becoming more popular due to their wide biological actions such as in methane mitigation, bypass of dietary protein, intestinal nematode control, among other uses. Unfortunately, some have strong astringency, low stability and bioavailability, and negatively affecting dry matter intake and digestibility. To circumvent these drawbacks, an effective delivery system may offer a promising approach to administer these extracts to the site where they are required. The objectives of this study were to encapsulate acacia tannin extract (ATE) with native starch and maltodextrin-gum arabic and to test the effect of encapsulation parameters on encapsulation efficiency, yield and morphology of the microparticles obtained as well as the effect on rumen in vitro gas production. Methods: The ATE was encapsulated with the wall materials, and the morphological features of freeze-dried microparticles were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. The in vitro release pattern of microparticles in acetate buffer, simulating the rumen, and its effect on in vitro gas production was evaluated. Results: The morphological features revealed that maltodextrin/gum-arabic microparticles were irregular shaped, glossy and smaller, compared with those encapsulated with native starch, which were bigger, and more homogenous. Maltodextrin-gum arabic could be used up to 30% loading concentration compared with starch, which could not hold the core material beyond 15% loading capacity. Encapsulation efficiency ranged from $27.7%{\pm}6.4%$ to $48.8%{\pm}5.5%$ in starch and $56.1%{\pm}4.9%$ to $64.8%{\pm}2.8%$ in maltodextrin-gum arabic microparticles. Only a slight reduction in methane emission was recorded in encapsulated microparticles when compared with the samples containing only wall materials. Conclusion: Both encapsulated products exhibited the burst release pattern under the pH conditions and methane reduction associated with tannin was marginal. This is attributable to small loading percentages and therefore, other wall materials or encapsulation methods should be investigated.