Effect of silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae oil supplementation on enteric methane emission and methanogens diversity in sheep

• Published in: Animal biotechnology Vol. 33; no. 1; pp. 128 - 140
• Main Authors: Thirumalaisamy, G., Malik, P. K., Kolte, A. P., Trivedi, S., Dhali, A., Bhatta, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 01-02-2022; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Animals; Bombyx; Bombyx mori; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Emission analysis; Fermentation; Fish oils; In vivo methods and tests; Livestock; Methane; Methane - metabolism; Methanobrevibacter; Methanogenic bacteria; methanogens diversity; Oils & fats; Pupa; Pupae; Reduction; Rumen - metabolism; Sheep; silkworm pupae oil; Silkworms; methane; Livestock; methanogens diversity; silkworm pupae oil
• ISSN: 1049-5398; 1532-2378
• DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2020.1781147

In vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to examine the effect of silkworm pupae oil on methane (CH
4
) emission and methanogens diversity. Five graded levels (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10%) of silkworm pupae oil were tested in vitro. Eighteen Mandya adult sheep were divided into three groups. All the animals were fed on similar basal diet except the oil supplementation in test groups. Oil level for supplementation was decided on the basis of in vitro study. In vitro study indicated a reduction of 22% in CH
4
production with 2% oil supplementation. Animals in test groups were supplemented with oil (2%) either daily (CON) or intermittently (INT) on every alternate week for all the seven days. A significant reduction of 17-20% in enteric CH
4
emission (g/d) was achieved due to oil supplementation in sheep. However, No variation was established between test groups CON and INT. In present study, Methanobrevibacter was major genus contributed ∼90% of the total rumen methanogens; whilst Methanobrevibacter gottschalkii was the most abundant methanogens species. Abundance of Methanobrevibacter ruminantium was affected with the oil supplementation. It can be concluded that the silkworm pupae oil at 2% can decrease CH
4
emission by 15-20%.