Aims: 

The study of methanogenesis in the ruminant rumen and investigations of approaches to its decrease is significant from two points of view. At the first – the methane formation is energy undesirable process; at the second – the emission of methane by cattle increases significantly the greenhouse effect. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of some carbohydrates and volatile fatty acids on intensity of methanogenesis in the cattle rumen.

Methods: 

Investigation was carried out in vitro by incubation of rumen liquid with different carbohydrates in anaerobic condition during 24 hours at 38 °C. After the incubation the amount of methane produced was determined on the gas chromatograph SRI 8610 B. Results:

The carbohydrates have different effect on the methane productions by microorganisms in the rumen of steers. Among the substrates added to the incubation medium the decreased effect on methanogenesis reveal starch (-30%; P < 0.05) > inulin (-19%; P < 0.05) > glucose (-19%; P < 0.05). On the contrary cellulose (+17%; P < 0.05), acetate and propionate stimulate the methane production.

Conclusion: 

With the aim of decrease of methanogenesis in the rumen of cattle it is advisable to maintenance of animals' rations with higher levels of structural and lover levels of nonstructural carbohydrates.