Effects of the methane-inhibitors Nitrophenol, 5-Nitrobenzimidazol and two new synthetic nitrocompounds on in vitro ruminal fermentation

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of four nitrocompounds (Nitrophenol, 5-Nitrobenzimidazol and two synthetic nitrocompounds ABLE 244 and ABLE 245) on methane production and fermentation characteristics using in vitro rumen batch culture. 0, 2, 8 or 12 µM of each nitrocompound were incubated. The higher concentrations of Nitrophenol and 5-Nitrobenzimidazol produced 60% less CH4 (P < 0.05) compared to controls, while two synthetic nitrocompounds ABLE 244 and ABLE 245 had no effect on CH4 production. Quantification of fermentation end-products indicated that fermentation efficiencies were not compromised by the nitro-treatments.