Efficacy of 3-nitrooxypropanole (3-NOP) in dairy cows on enteric methane production
The study and fight against the climate change is today an issue of fundamental importance, with aconsequent need to increase the commitment in the search for solutions aimed at improving the carbon footprint of animal products. As regards dairy cows, particular attention is paid to enteric methane emissions, the production of which is linked to the ruminants physiology.
| RESPONSABLE OF PROJECT: | Prof. Erminio Trevisi |
|---|---|
| RESPONSABLE OF PROCEDURES: | Prof. Maurizio Moschini |
| COLLABORATION: | Parmalat S.p.A. (www.parmalat.it) |
| SPONSOR: | DSM Nutritional Products AG (www.dsm.com) |
| DURATION: | 2022-2023 |
Prof. Erminio Trevisi
President, Cerzoo Srl - Research Center for livestock and environment
Full Professor in Animal Science, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Piacenza and Cremona
Prof. Maurizio Moschini
Associate Professor in Food and animal Nutrition, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore di Piacenza e Cremona
Background
The study and fight against the climate change is today an issue of fundamental importance, with a consequent need to increase the commitment in the search for solutions aimed at improving the carbon footprint of animal products. As regards dairy cows, particular attention is paid to enteric methane emissions, the production of which is linked to the ruminants physiology. Scientific research has highlighted interesting potential in the use of different food additives, generally of natural origin, which are able to reduce the production of this greenhouse gas by microorganisms in the rumen.
The use of 3-nitrooxypropanole (3-NOP), produced by chemical synthesis but naturally contained in some plants, should reduce the enteric methanogenesis through its inhibitory action which works selectively at the level of the metabolic pathway that leads to the methane synthesis by Archaea, the microorganisms responsible for this production.
Aim
The aim of the research is to measure the effects of 3-nitrooxypropanole (3-NOP) on the enteric methane emissions, on feed intake, on milk quantity and quality and on the hematic biomarker. The investigation was carried out on 30 animals in the experimental farm of CERZOO srl, divided in two groups, one receiving the treatment and a control group fed with a placebo.
The trial includes two consecutive experiments, with a duration of 91 days and the employment of 30 animals for each experiment. The two experiments differ for climatic and meteorologic conditions: a warm period in the first case and a cold one in the second. In both periods the animals were treated with 60 mg of 3-NOP for each kg of dry matter.
Checks
- Chemical and nutritional composition of diets;
- Individual feed intake;
- Emission of methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen (GreenFeed system);
- Health and welfare status, checked also with the analysis of many metabolic and inflammatory hematic markers;
- Time of resting;
- Body Condition Score (BCS);
- Daily rumination activity;
- Daily body weight;
- Chemical and physical parameters of the ruminal fluid;
- Milk yield and sanitary, chemical, nutritional and technological (cheese making attitude) characteristics;
First results obtained
At the end of the first experimental period, the administration of 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) significantly reduced enteric methane production, with methane emissions in treated animals 40% lower than in the animals in the control group fed with a placebo.
The presence of 3-NOP, despite the decrease in methane production, did not change the health conditions of the animals and the milk production, which remained quantitatively unchanged after the treatment, while changes were found in the qualitative aspect, with a slight improvement in parameters and technological properties.