The presence of oxygen in rumen liquor and its effects on methanogenesis

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In situ measurement of O2 in the rumen liquor of cows, sheep and goats using a membrane‐covered O2 electrode revealed the presence of up to 1630 nmol/l O2; O2 became undetectable immediately after feeding of animals. The effects of O2 on H2 production and methanogenesis in samples of rumen liquor were investigated using a mass spectrometer fitted with a membrane inlet system. Methanogenesis was totally and irreversibly inhibited after short term exposure (about 10 min) to 5 KPa (0·05 atm) O2; H2 production was unaffected. Glucose additions produced rapid transient increases in H2 levels and increased O2 uptake.

This publication has 13 references indexed in Scilit: