New findings on the use of thymol to reduce ruminant’s methane emission

Researchers from the Huazhong Agricultural University and University of Alberta have reported new findings on the use of Thymol as agent to reduce methane emission in ruminants.

In the latest issue of the journal Microorganisms, researchers from the Huazhong Agricultural University and University of Alberta published their findings regarding the use of thymol to control the methane emission from ruminants;  Thymol (5-methyl-2-isopropylphenol) is a component of the essential oils taken from thyme and oregano.

Other works had already been performed on this topic, however there were inconsistencies regarding the effective dose of thymol, and the actual effect it has on the ruminal microbiota. Therefore, this research had two main objectives, namely the study of the main effects of thymol supplementation on rumen microbiota, and the identification of the most effective dose of thymol.

The experiment was performed in vitro. Reserchers incubated goat ruminal fluid with 0 mg/L, 100 mg/L, 200 mg/L, and 400 mg/L of thymol for 24 hours. They measured total gas production, methane, ammonia-nitrogen, VFAs, Total VFA, acetate/propionate ratio, in vitro dry matter digestibility, and in vitro organic matter digestibility. They also studied the composition of the ruminal microbiota and their interrelations.