Sheida EV, Miroshnikov SA, Duskaev GK, Miroshnikov IS.

Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2025. Vol. 108. No. 3. Р. 36-50.

doi:10.33284/2658-3135-108-3-36

Original article

A strategy for reducing methane formation in the rumen of ruminants using alimentary factors

 

Elena V Sheida1, Sergey A Miroshnikov2, Galimzhan K Duskaev3, Ivan S Miroshnikov4

1,3,4 Federal Research Centre of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg, Russia

2Orenburg State University, Orenburg, Russia

1elena-shejjda@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2586-613X

2sergey_ru01@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1173-1952

3gduskaev@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9015-8367

4sparco911@rambler.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0190-0612

 

Abstract. In our study, we evaluated the influence of various nutritional factors on the intensity of metabolic processes and methane formation in the rumen of ruminants. The studies were conducted using the in vitro method. The native rumen fluid used as the object of the study was obtained three hours after feeding the main diet through a rumen fistula in Kazakh White-Headed bull calves, aged 11-12 months. The tested plant substrate was waste from oil processing plants – sunflower husk, subjected to mechanical grinding, physical (cavitation) and enzymatic treatment (in a bioreactor), as well as enriched with ultrafine particles. The level of volatile fatty acids and the concentration of methane in the contents of the rumen was determined by gas chromatography. Based on our research, we found that the additional inclusion of mineral preparations in the form of ultrafine particles in the main diet of ruminants, as well as the preliminary decomposition of indigestible feed substrates (sunflower husks), enhances the intensity of metabolic processes in the rumen of ruminants, which led to an increase in the digestibility of nutrients. At the same time, chemical and physical treatment of the feed substrate reduced the production of methane in the rumen and thus the environmental impact.

Keywords: cattle, methane formation, rumen, fermentation, fermenter, cavitation, ultrafine particles, volatile fatty acids

Acknowledgments:  the  work  was  supported  by  the  Russian  Science  Foundation,  project  No. 20-16-00088.

For citation: Sheida EV, Miroshnikov SA, Duskaev GK, Miroshnikov IS. A strategy for reducing methane formation in the rumen of ruminants using alimentary factors. Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2025;108(3):36-50. (In Russ.)]. https://doi.org/10.33284/2658-3135-108-3-36

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Information about the authors:

Elena V Sheida, Dr. Sci. (Biology), Researcher at the Laboratory of Biological Tests and Examinations, Federal Research Centre of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 29 9 Yanvarya St., Orenburg, 460000, tel.: 8-922-862-64-02.

Sergey A Miroshnikov, Dr. Sci. (Biology), Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Expert of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor, Rector of Orenburg State University, 13 Pobedy Ave., Orenburg, 460018, tel.: 8 (3532) 77-67-70.

Galimzhan K Duskaev, Dr. Sci. (Biology), Associate Professor, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, First Deputy Director, Federal Research Centre of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 29 9 Yanvarya St., Orenburg, 460000, tel.: 8 (3532) 30-81-70.

Ivan S Miroshnikov, Cand. Sci. (Biology), Researcher at the Department of Animal Feeding and Feed Technology named after S.G. Leushin, Federal Research Centre of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 29 9 Yanvarya St., Orenburg, 460000, tel.: 8-922-806-01-01.

The article was submitted 25.11.2024; approved after reviewing 24.06.2025; accepted for publication 15.09.2025.

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