Abstract

Objective. To assess the effect of rising doses of the cyanogenic glucoside Linamarin on the reduction of in vitro rumen methane. Materials and methods. Rumen fluid from two fistulated Merino Precoz sheep, inoculated with a fermentation substrate comprising alfalfa hay (Medicago sativa) and ground oat grain (Avena sativa L.), and added with buffer solution and Linamarin (purity >= 98%) in rising doses, was incubated for eight hours in vitro. Methane was measured each hour with an infrared gas monitor. Results. According Linamarin doses were increased (0, 6, 13, 20 and 26 mg/L), the methane concentration fell in a linear manner (p <= 0.05) by (9.7, 9.2, 18.1 and 29.4%), respectively. A significant reduction of methane was seen whit the highest dose of Linamarin. Conclusions. Linamarin, in pure state, was effective to reduce methane during in vitro ruminal fermentation. Therefore, this study constitutes a basis for future experiments including vegetable sources of Linamarin as well as other rumen variables, leading to find a strategy for reducing greenhouse gases.