Methane production of two roughage and total mixed ration as influenced by cellulase and xylanase enzyme addition

Abstract

In recent decades supplementation of animal feeds with exogenous fibrolytic enzymes has substantially improved digestibility and animal performance. However, information related to associated methane production is limited and inconsistent. This study evaluated the effect of cellulase and xylanase enzymes on in vitro methane production of Eragrostis curvula hay, maize (Zea mays) stover and a total mixed ration (TMR) at seven levels of the two enzymes. Feed samples were incubated for 2, 12, 24 and 48 h in an in vitro batch culture with buffer and rumen fluid, and fibrolytic enzymes. Gas production was measured using a pressure transducer connected to a data tracker, while methane gas was analysed using a gas chromatograph which was calibrated with standard CH₄ and CO₂. Increases in the level of enzyme application resulted in increases in gas volume, total volatile fatty acid (VFA) production, dry matter (DM) disappearance and associated increases in methane production. The linear increase in percentage and volume of methane production in tandem with increases in level of enzyme application might be due to increased fermentation, and organic matter degradability that resulted in a shift in VFA production towards acetate. Considering the efficiency of DM and neutral detergent fiber degradation and production of associated VFA with levels of enzymes, the use of 1 mg g⁻¹ DM of enzyme can be a good option for the feeds tested. However, they cannot decrease methane production. It will be very important to consider other hydrogen sinks that can capture directly extra H⁺ produced by the addition of enzyme so that their supplementation could be very efficient and environmentally sound.

digestibility; fermentation; fibrolyitc enzymes; gas production

Introduction

In ruminant production systems, fibrous carbohydrate constitutes a larger proportion of diet. Although it is a resource found in abundance on the planet it can only be utilized by ruminants. However, utilization is poor as it is characterized by low digestibility and high methane-shifted digestion. Methane production is in particular, a waste of energy for ruminants, not to mention the greenhouse gas effect it has on the earth’s atmosphere. Thus it has become a concern in recent decades for both scientists and ruminant producers. Methane is produced in the rumen by methanogenic archaea that uses hydrogen to generate methane, which prevents the accumulation of reducing equivalents, which could impede rumen fermentation.

Fermentation in the rumen by micro flora, under anaerobic conditions, results in the production of volatile fatty acids (VFA), mainly acetate, propionate and butyrate which can be used as a source of energy by ruminants (Mc Donald et al., 2011). The amount and proportion of these VFA determine methane production. Fibrous feeds are characterized in general by less propionate shifted fermentation with more methane production as compared with concentrates. Improving digestibility and reduction of methane are crucial in the utilization of fibrous feeds for sustainable livestock production.

The inclusion of cellulase and xylanase in ruminant feeding has been proven to bring about substantial improvement in fermentation, digestibility and animal performance (Krueger et al., 2008; Azzaz et al., 2012). Although improvement in digestibility and animal performance due to enzyme supplementations have been reported there is limited information available with regard to associated methane production. In a few studies where methane production was an interest, a number of authors reported either decreased methane production (Eun and Beauchemin, 2007), or increased methane production (Chung et al., 2012) while no effect has also been reported (McGinn et al., 2004). Thus the effects vary with the type of feed, pH, microbial sources and various other factors.

It is also important to consider the level of enzyme supplementation as it determines the levels of digestion in ruminants as well as affecting the profitability and sustainability of enzymes in animal production. This study was undertaken with the specific aim of evaluating the effects of fibrolytic cellulase and xylanase enzymes on in vitro methane production of Eragrostsis curvula hay, maize (Zea mays) stover and a total mixed ration (TMR) at different levels of application.

Materials and Methods

Feeds and enzymes

The cellulase and xylanase enzymes used in the study are concentrated liquids of acid cellulase (E.C. 3.2.1.4) and acid-neutral endo-1, 4-b-D-xylanase (E.C. 3.2.1.8), respectively. They are produced by the fermentation of non-GMO Trichoderma longibrachiatum (formerly Trichoderma reesei). The endo-glucanase assay from cellulase enzyme using 1 % (w/v) carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) under pH of 4.0, 4.8, 5.8, and 6.0 were 4,232.2, 4,484.3, 3,373.6 and 2,141.9 reduced sugars per mmol enzyme while the exo-glucanase assay using 1 % (w/v) cellulose were 3.0, 4.3, 1.5 and 1.0 reduced sugars per mmol enzyme, respectively. Xylanase activity using 1 % (w/v) Birchwood xylan at pH of 4.0, 4.8, 5.8, and 6.0 were 1,676.2, 2,497.6, 1,831.5 and 1,737.2 reduced sugars per mmol enzyme, respectively. In this study each enzyme was studied at seven levels i.e. 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 mg g⁻¹ dry matter (DM) feed for Cellulase (0.5 being the level recommended by the manufacturer) and 0.0, 0.25, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 mg g⁻¹ DM feed for xylanse (0.25 being the recommended level by the manufacturer), respectively. Eragrostis curvula, maize stover and TMR (formulated for adult sheep) were used as test feeds. Their chemical composition is shown in Table 1.

Table 1
– Mean (± SE) nutrient composition of test feeds.

Nutrients composition	Test feeds (%)
	Eragrostis curvula	Maize stover	TMR
DM	94.51 ± 0.84	92.3 ± 0.05	93.9 ± 0.05
Ash	3.75 ± 0.04	2.28 ± 0.01	7.48 ± 0.026
OM	90.76 ± 0.04	90.1 ± 0.8	86.4 ± 0.024
EE	1.08 ± 0.02	0.87 ± 0.018	5.99 ± 0.14
CP	3.11 ± 0.03	2.05 ± 0.02	19.8 ± 0.047
ADF	50.3 ± 0.23	52.2 ± 0.39	20.3 ± 0.4
NDF	84.4 ± 0.32	81.2 ± 1.8	29.6 ± 0.61
ADL	7.63 ± 0.13	10.8 ± 0.02	3.49 ± 0.040
ADIN (% CP to ADF)	0.98 ± 0.03	0.27 ± 0.01	11.64 ± 0.4
NDIN (% CP to NDF)	1.42 ± 0.03	1.04 ± 0.01	14.8 ± 0.04
ME (MJ kg−1 calculated)	5.9 ± 0.03	5.94 ± 0.01	34.7 ± 0.03

• DM-dry matters; OM-organic matter; EE-ether extract; CP-crude protein; ADF-acid detergent fibre; NDF-neutral detergent fibre; ADL-lignin; ADIN-the nitrogen content of ADF; NDIN-the nitrogen content of NDF; SE-standard error. Composition of total mixed ration (TMR) in percentage. Maize stover or Hominy chop (26.8), Wheat bran (7.9), Eragrostis curvula Hay (14.9), Alfalfa hay (14.9), Sun flower oil meal (21.8), Soya meal (3.96), Molassases (6.94), Limeston (1), Dicalcium phosphate (0.5), Salt (0.5), Sodium bicarbonate (0.5), Premix (0.4).

In vitro gas production measurement

Collection of rumen fluid from donor sheep

The rumen fluid was collected from two rumen cannulated Merino wethers fed on ad libtum amount of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay before the morning feeding. Approximately 500 mL of the rumen fluid was collected from each donor animal, mixed, strained through four layers of cheesecloth and then transferred to pre-heated thermos flasks. In the laboratory, the flasks were emptied into an industrial blender while being purged with CO₂ to maintain anaerobic conditions (Grant and Mertens, 1992). After blending, the rumen fluid was transferred to a large glass beaker that was kept inside a 39 °C water bath and was continuously purged with CO₂ and continuously stirred as recommended by Goering and Soest (1970). Thereafter, the required amount of rumen fluid was added to the buffer solution in the respective incubation vessels in a ratio of one part rumen fluid to four parts of buffer solution. This rumen buffer solution was used for the study.

Reducing buffer solution

The rumen buffer solution, both micromineral and macromineral solutions, were prepared in large quantities and utilized as needed. The micromineral solution was stored in a dark glass bottle in order to maintain the quality of the solution. Reducing solution contained 4 g of ammonium bicarbonate (NH₄HCO₃) and 35 g of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) dissolved in distilled water and brought up to 1 L in volumetric flask. The macromineral solution contained 5.7 g of sodium hydrogen phosphate dibasic (Na₂HPO₄), 6.0 g of potassium phosphate monobasic (KH₂PO₄), and 0.6 g of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (MgSO₄.7H₂0) dissolved in distilled water and brought up to 1 L in a volumetric flask. The micromineral solution contained 13.2 g of calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl₂.2H₂O), 10.0 g of manganese chloride tetrahydrate (MnCl₂.4H₂O), 1.0 g of cobalt chloride hexahydrate (CoCl₂.6H₂O), and 8.0 g of Ferric chloride, hexahydrate (FeCl₂.6H₂O) dissolved in distilled water and brought up to 100 mL in a volumetric flask. A litre of medium contained 2.5 g of tryptone, 500 mL of distilled water, 0.125 mL of micromineral solution, 250 mL of buffer solution, 250 mL of macro-mineral solution, 1.25 mL of 0.1 % resazurin solution, 0.313 g L-cysteine hydrochloride and 0.313 g sodium sulphide.

In the morning, before the commencement of the experiment, the appropriate amounts of distilled water, rumen buffer solution, macro and micro mineral solutions were mixed with the tryptose and prepared 0.1 % (w/v) resazurin. The enzyme solution was prepared based on the required rate(s) for specific experimental treatments in order to deliver the desired amount of enzyme in a 1 mL aliquot. Appropriate amounts of L-cysteine hydrochloride and sodium sulphide were weighed and directly added to the rest of the solution once all chemicals were dissolved. As soon as the reducing agent was added, the buffer solution was placed in a 39 °C water bath and bubbled with CO₂. The serum bottles were then sealed with a rubber stopper and left at 39 °C until the buffer solution was clear, indicating that the solution was sufficiently reduced.

Measurement of gas production

A semi-automated system was used to measure in vitro gas production from feed substrate fermented with enzymes at different levels in a 120 mL serum bottle incubated at 39 °C, as described by Theodorou et al. (1994). The system consists of digital data tracker connected to a pressure transducer with a needle at the tip. About 500 mg of respective feed sample was weighed in the 120 mL serum bottle, and 1 mL of the appropriate enzyme treatment was directly pipetted onto the substrate and incubated for 24 h. Then 42 mL of rumen fluid + medium were added under a stream of CO₂ to each of the serum bottles and closed with rubber stoppers and crimp seal caps. The needle was inserted through a rubber stopper of each serum bottle for about 5 s to release a small amount of gas that could accumulate so as to create a starting point for the incubation. All serum bottles were returned to the incubator, and the rotary shaker was turned on at 120 rpm. Gas pressure was taken at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32 and 48 h of incubation. To quantify the gas production derived from the culture medium and the ruminal inoculums, two blanks were included in every batch of analysis. Each treatment was replicated twice per run and a total of four independent runs were executed for every treatment. The pressure and volume values of each reading time were recorded, and added to the values of the previous readings. Thus, the cumulative pressure and volume of the fermentation gases were obtained. Fermentation was terminated after 48 h by removing the serum bottles from the incubator and placing them on ice. The supernatants were taken immediately, pipetted and stored at -20 °C for analysis of ammonia N (McDonald et al., 1960) and VFA (Ottenstein and Bartley, 1971) at a later stage.

In vitro degradability

To evaluate in vitro DM degradability at 48 h of fermentation, rumen fluid samples and DM residuals were collected from two bottles per treatment. All the serum bottle contents were transferred into gush crucibles and using a vacuum filter system the fluid was filtered and dried in an oven at 55 °C for 48 h after which DM disappearance was determined. The blank corrected sample weight was referred to as apparently undegradable DM, and degradability was calculated as the ratio of degradable DM to that of substrate DM incubated. Total degradable DM was derived from the difference between the weights of DM incubated residues as indicated by formulas described in the manufacturer's manual.

Methane production measurements

Methane production was measured from the duplicate bottles incubated with each grass sample at 2, 12, 24 and 48 h. The methane concentration was determined using a gas chromatograph, equipped with a solenoid column packed with silica gel and a Flame Ionization Detector (FID). Gas production from each bottle was recorded and gas samples were immediately taken using a Hamilton syringe. The sampled gas was injected manually (pull and push method of sample injection) into a GC, which was already calibrated with standard CH₄ and CO₂. Two blanks were included for correcting the CH₄ produced from the inoculum in each run and a total of two runs were executed for each sample. The measured methane concentration was related to the respective total gas measurement in order to estimate its concentration (Tavendale et al., 2005), and subsequently converted to energy and mass values using 39.54 kJ L⁻¹ CH₄ and 0.716 mg mL⁻¹ CH₄ factors, respectively (Santoso et al., 2007).

Calculations and statistical analysis

Metabolizable energy (ME, MJ kg⁻¹ DM) was estimated according to Menke and Steingass (1988) as follows: ME (MJ kg⁻¹) = 2.20 + 0.136 IVGP₂₄ (mL 0.5⁻¹ g DM) + 0.057 CP (% DM). Methane production was calculated as follows: g CH₄ g⁻¹ digested DM = (gas production 24 h×([CH₄ 24 h]) - gas produced blank 24 h×[CH₄ blank 24 h]))g⁻¹ digested DM according to Chaves et al. (2006). The experimental design used in this study was completely randomized. The data were statistically analyzed using the ‘GLM’ proc of SAS (Statistical Analysis System, Version 9.2) and differences between the means were determined using the Tukey test.

Results

Addition of Exogenous Fibrolytic Enzymes (EFE) on fermentation of substrates

The addition of the two enzymes increased the DM degradability of the test feeds (p < 0.05), with increasing application levels of enzymes (Table 2). The fermentation of roughage substrates was generally very low for the control treatment (Table 3). However, incubation with the enzymes had improved gas production (p < 0.01). Over the 48 h periods the relative percentage improvement in gas production due to addition of cellulase enzyme ranged between 5 to 53.9, 4.5 to 56.2 and 7.5 to 24.7 (%) for maize stover, Eragrostis curvula hay and TMR, respectively. The improvement recorded due to addition of xylanase ranged between 3.5 to 62.5, 3.2 to 65.8 and 1.5 to 15.5 % for maize stover, Eragrostis curvula hay and TMR, respectively. High levels of enzyme application resulted in a relatively higher percentage increase in gas production. However, the net improvement associated with an increase in each unit of enzyme added (mg g⁻¹ DM enzyme) decreased beyond 2 mg g⁻¹ DM dose for cellulase and 1 mg g⁻¹ DM for xylanase.

Table 2
– Dry Matter (DM) degradation (%) due to addition of cellulase and xylanase to maize stover (MS), Eragrostis curvula hay (EC) and total mixed ration (TMR) at different levels.

Enzyme	Level	Test feeds
		MS	EC	TMR
	mg g−1 DM
Cellulase	0	54.9 ± 0.35f	42.9 ± 0.04f	72.8 ± 0.34f
	0.5	55.0 ± 0.38f	44.4 ± 0.53f	73.01 ± 0.71f
	1	60.3 ± 0.14e	46.7 ± 0.89e	77.2 ± 0.08e
	2	66.2 ± 0.05d	51.1 ± 0.81d	81.3 ± 0.34d
	3	70.5 ± 0.11c	57.6 ± 0.91c	85.2 ± 0.02c
	4	75.7 ± 0.43b	59.8 ± 0.04b	91.2 ± 0.12b
	5	77.8 ± 0.18a	62.3 ± 0.29a	95.1 ± 0.08a
Xylanase	0	54.9 ± 0.35f	42.9 ± 0.4f	72.0 ± 0.34f
	0.25	55.2 ± 0.39f	43.0 ± 0.5ef	72.0 ± 0.03f
	0.5	60.3 ± 0.06e	45.1 ± 0.1e	76.5 ± 0.17e
	1	65.1±0.06d	48.9±0.9d	80.8±0.11d
	2	71.0 ± 0.09c	51.1 ± 0.8c	85.2 ± 0.02c
	3	75.8 ± 0.04b	56.5 ± 1.8b	89.0 ± 1.67b
	4	79.0 ± 0.38a	59.8 ± 0.9a	95.8 ± 0.08a

• Means with different superscript (letters) across the column for each parameter are different (p < 0.05).

Table 3
− Gas production (mL 500 mg−1 DM) due to addition of cellulase and xylanase to maize stover (MS), Eragrostis curvula hay (EC) and total mixed ration (TMR) at different levels.

Enzymes	Level	MS				EC				TMR
		12	24	48		12	24	48		12	24	48
	mg g−1 DM
Cellulase	0	4.60c	8.50e	24.4f		2.69f	6.48g	21.7g		25.9f	44.9g	56.0g
	0.5	5.20c	9.10ed	25.0f		3.50e	7.39f	23.1f		27.1e	45.9f	58.1f
	1	5.58c	9.96d	27.1e		4.60d	9.30e	27.0e		28.3d	48.0e	63.0e
	2	7.18b	13.65c	33.0d		5.80c	9.82d	32.0d		29.2c	49.3d	66.0d
	3	8.88a	12.7bc	38.1c		6.00c	11.5c	33.1c		29.8c	50.9c	68.0c
	4	9.90a	14.8a	41.0b		6.80b	12.2b	36.0b		31.5b	53.0b	74.0b
	5	9.95a	15.8a	42.0a		8.37a	15.0a	40.9a		33.8a	56.0a	78.0a
Xylanase	0	4.60e	8.50de	24.4f		2.69f	6.48e	21.7f		25.9e	44.9f	56.0f
	0.25	5.51d	8.49de	24.5f		3.58e	6.60e	21.8f		26.0e	50.0f	56.2f
	0.5	5.30de	8.35e	24.6f		3.60e	6.64e	23.1e		27.1d	45.4e	58.9e
	1	5.31ed	9.10d	27.5e		4.39d	8.18d	26.0d		28.7c	48.0d	63.1d
	2	6.60c	11.0c	31.0d		5.60c	10.0c	30.0c		28.9c	49.0c	65.0c
	3	7.80b	13.1b	34.5b		6.80b	12.0b	33.8b		30.6b	51.1b	70.0b
	4	10.2a	19.8a	47.8a		9.98a	18.9a	50.1a		31.7a	53.0a	74.1a

• Means with different superscript (letters) across the column for each parameter are different (p < 0.05).

There was a proportional increase in percentage of total VFA as levels of enzyme addition increased (Table 4). The percentage increment in acetate showed a variable pattern for the two roughages with increasing levels of enzymes while linear and quadratic patterns were observed for TMR. Propionate production decreased for TMR with increased levels of enzymes while no clear pattern was observed for roughage substrates. The percentage increase in acetate and propionate production for Eragrostis curvula hay test feed was dose dependent. Both acetate and propionate production increased as levels of enzyme application increased for Eragrostis curvula hay. However, for the maize stover test diet, the relative change in acetate and propionate production associated with increasing levels of enzyme application was not consistent. In contrast, for the TMR test diet acetate production appeared to have moderately increased as the levels of enzyme increased, but the propionate production was relatively reduced due to application of enzymes in a dose dependent pattern.

Table 4
− Relative percentage increases in total volatile fatty acid (TVFA), acetate (C2) and propionate (C3) production as a result of the addition of cellulase and xylanase to maize stover (MS), Eragrostis curvula hay (EC) and total mixed ration (TMR).

Enzyme	Level	MS				EC				TMR
		TVFA	C2	C3		TVFA	C2	C3		TVFA	C2	C3
	mg g−1 DM
Cellulase	0	0.0	0.0	0.0		0.0	0.0	0.0		0.0	0.0	0.0
	0.5	4.3	4.7	0.85		0.4	0.2	0.5		13.2	22.8	-36.8
	1	24.3	22.1	25.8		30.2	45.3	28.0		13.4	23.0	-33.1
	2	26.3	30.3	8.12		31.3	48.2	29.2		17.0	26.9	-10.5
	3	27.1	33.9	2.26		37.1	61.7	29.9		19.0	28.7	-5.2
	4	27.8	26.4	28.5		39.3	67.4	30.9		19.6	28.2	-25.6
Xylanase	0	0.0	0.0	0.0		0.0	0.0	0.0		0.0	0.0	0.0
	0.25	18.2	26.8	-13.5		21.3	27.7	20.4		4.96	14.6	-51.0
	0.5	18.8	14.7	22.4		33.4	51.6	31.2		7.15	16.8	-45.8
	1	19.2	16.6	20.7		34.3	54.5	27.0		8.27	17.7	-40.6
	2	19.7	28.5	-17.1		39.4	63.9	34.6		15.1	24.8	-12.3
	3	20.9	30.4	-20.0		40.7	70.4	32.5		21.9	31.3	-0.8

Addition of EFE on methane production

Increased volume of methane gas was recorded with increased levels of enzyme application for the feeds treated with enzymes, compared to the control samples (Table 5). The addition of enzymes increased (p < 0.01) the cumulative volume of methane gas (mL g DM^–1) recorded at various time intervals. The cumulative volume of methane gas increased (p < 0.05) as levels of enzyme application increased. However, TMR produced, relatively, the lowest methane volume during all incubation periods when compared to methane production from the two roughages tested.

Table 5
− Volume (mL g DM−1) of methane produced due to the addition of different levels of cellulase and xylanase to maize stover (MS), Eragrostis curvula hay (EC) and total mixed ration (TMR) feeds.

Enzyme	Level	TMR					MS					EC
		2	12	24	48		2	12	24	48		2	12	24	48
	mg g−1 DM
Cellulase	0	0.03d	0.36g	2.36g	4.56g		0.05g	0.85f	4.94g	9.02g		0.06e	1.83d	4.15g	9.14g
	0.5	0.03d	0.49f	2.64f	5.32f		0.063f	1.04e	5.26f	9.45f		0.06e	1.75e	4.39f	9.53f
	1	0.04c	0.62e	2.99e	6.14e		0.073e	1.13d	6.06e	11.6e		0.08d	1.93c	5.01e	10.4e
	2	0.04c	0.76d	3.26d	6.87d		0.077d	1.49c	7.01d	14.1d		0.12c	2.10b	5.54d	11.2d
	3	0.05b	0.89c	3.55c	7.78c		0.08c	1.89b	8.20c	16.9c		0.12c	2.10b	6.14c	12.1c
	4	0.05b	1.02b	3.88b	8.85b		0.082b	2.16a	9.26b	19.3b		0.13b	2.22a	6.76b	12.9b
	5	0.06a	1.16a	4.28a	10.2a		0.108a	2.16a	9.85a	20.9a		0.14a	2.23a	7.45a	13.9a
Xylanase	0	0.03c	0.36bc	2.36g	4.56g		0.05g	0.85g	4.94f	9.02g		0.06e	1.83d	4.15f	9.14g
	0.25	0.03c	0.32e	2.43f	5.07f		0.08e	1.10f	5.37e	9.29f		0.07d	1.84d	4.06g	9.02f
	0.5	0.03c	0.34cd	2.46e	5.71e		0.06f	1.03e	5.37e	9.45e		0.07d	1.89c	4.72e	9.96e
	1	0.04b	0.35bcd	2.57d	6.44d		0.17b	1.12d	5.59d	10.2d		0.11c	1.98b	5.18d	10.7d
	2	0.04b	0.36bc	2.61c	7.10c		0.11d	1.29c	5.92c	11.2c		0.11c	1.62f	5.45c	11.1c
	3	0.05a	0.37ab	2.71b	8.06b		0.16c	1.51b	6.32b	12.3b		0.16b	1.71e	6.04b	11.9b
	4	0.05a	0.39a	2.78a	8.90a		0.28a	2.12a	7.25a	15.8a		0.21a	2.23a	7.19a	13.6a

• Means with different superscript (letters) across the column for each parameter are different (p < 0.001).

Methane production expressed in mass (methane production g DDM⁻¹ and g NDF⁻¹) varied (p < 0.05) according to the level of enzyme application (Tables 6, 7 and 8). Lower values of these parameters (p < 0.05) were recorded for the lower levels while higher values were recorded at higher levels of enzyme application. Methane expressed in mass increased with increasing levels of enzymes with linear and quadratic responses. A similar trend was observed for the ratio of methane to digestible NDF (CH₄: g NDF⁻¹) and the ratio of methane production to GP₂₄ which increased with increases in the level of enzymes for maize stover and TMR. For Eragrostsis curvula hay, however, a lower ratio of methane to total gas production was obtained at the highest levels of enzyme addition.

Table 6
− Effect of cellulase and xylanase addition on methane production expressed in mass, and ratio of methane to fermentation parameters from the total mixed ration (TMR) after 24 h of incubation.

Enzyme	Level	g kg−1 DDM	g kg−1 NDF	CH4:ME	CH4:gas prod	CH4:NDF deg	CH4:TVFA
	mg g−1 DM
Cellulase	0	1.69f	2.84f	0.068g	0.053g	0.83f	0.0306
	0.5	1.89f	3.14e	0.076f	0.058f	0.84f	0.0320
	1	2.14e	3.42d	0.085e	0.062e	0.88e	0.0337
	2	2.33d	3.58c	0.092d	0.066d	0.91d	0.0366
	3	2.54c	3.73b	0.100c	0.070c	0.95c	0.0382
	4	2.78b	3.68bc	0.109b	0.073b	1.05b	0.0407
	5	3.07a	4.03a	0.119a	0.076a	1.06a	0.0447
Xylanase	0	1.69g	2.84g	0.068g	0.053g	0.83f	0.0306
	0.25	1.74f	2.92f	0.070f	0.054f	0.83f	0.0307
	0.5	1.91e	3.19e	0.077e	0.058e	0.84e	0.0329
	1	2.08d	3.30d	0.083d	0.060d	0.88d	0.0349
	2	2.22c	3.37c	0.088c	0.063c	0.92c	0.0369
	3	2.52b	3.66a	0.099b	0.068b	0.96b	0.0387
	4	2.66a	3.54b	0.104a	0.070a	1.05a	0.0377

• Means with different superscript (letters) across the column for each parameter are different (p < 0.001). DDM-digestible dry matter; NDF-neutral detergent fibre; ME-metabolizabe energy; TVFA-total volatile fatty acid.

Table 7
− Effect of cellulase and xylanase addition on methane production, methane expressed in mass and the ratio of methane to fermentation parameters from maize stover after 24 h of incubation.

Enzyme	Level	g kg−1 DDM	g kg−1 NDF	CH4:ME	CH4:gas prod	CH4:NDF deg	CH4:TVFA
	mg g−1 DM
Cellulase	0	3.54f	8.97d	0.83	0.58b	0.55g	0.086
	0.5	3.76f	9.41d	0.86	0.58b	0.56f	0.087
	1	4.34e	10.6c	0.95	0.61ab	0.57e	0.079
	2	5.02d	11.2bc	0.94	0.51c	0.62d	0.090
	3	5.87c	11.9ab	1.08	0.64a	0.69c	0.104
	4	6.63b	12.3a	1.19	0.63a	0.75b	0.116
	5	7.05a	12.6a	1.20	0.62ab	0.78a	0.118
Xylanase	0	3.54f	8.97e	0.83	0.58d	0.55f	0.086
	0.25	3.85e	9.75a	0.90	0.63b	0.55f	0.082
	0.5	3.84e	9.51c	0.88	0.65a	0.56e	0.079
	1	4.01d	9.67b	0.89	0.61c	0.58d	0.083
	2	4.24c	9.27d	0.87	0.52e	0.64c	0.088
	3	4.53b	9.22d	0.86	0.48f	0.69b	0.099
	4	5.19a	9.28d	0.78	0.37g	0.78a	0.093

• Means with different superscript (letters) across the column for each parameter are different (p < 0.001). DDM-digestible dry matter; NDF-neutral detergent fibre; ME-metabolizabe energy; TFVA-total volatile fatty acid.

Table 8
− Effect of cellulase and xylanase addition on production of methane expressed in mass, and the ratio of methane to fermentation parameters from Eragrostis curvula hay after 24 h of incubation.

Enzyme	Level	g kg−1 DM deg	g kg−1 NDF	CH4:ME	CH4:gas prod	CH4:NDF deg	CH4:TVFA
	mg g−1 DM
Cellulase	0	2.97g	8.98c	0.70b	0.29a	0.46g	0.117
	0.5	3.14f	9.38d	0.71b	0.27b	0.47f	0.126
	1	3.51e	9.96b	0.74b	0.24c	0.49e	0.125
	2	3.99d	10.04b	0.72b	0.20e	0.55d	0.111
	3	4.50c	10.1b	0.89a	0.28a	0.63c	0.121
	4	4.84b	10.3b	0.91a	0.27b	0.66b	0.122
	5	5.33a	10.9a	0.88a	0.23d	0.68a	0.130
Xylanase	0	2.91f	8.78d	0.68d	0.28b	0.46e	0.117
	0.25	2.97f	8.98d	0.70d	0.29b	0.46e	0.107
	0.5	3.38e	10.3b	0.79ab	0.32a	0.46e	0.099
	1	3.71d	10.7a	0.80a	0.28b	0.49d	0.103
	2	3.90c	9.47c	0.77bc	0.24c	0.58c	0.105
	3	4.32b	8.05e	0.78ab	0.22d	0.75a	0.123
	4	5.15a	10.5ab	0.74c	0.17e	0.68b	0.117

• Means with different superscript (letters) across the column for each parameter are different (p < 0.001). DM- dry matter; NDF-neutral detergent fibre; ME-metabolizabe energy; TFVA-total volatile fatty acid.

Methane production had negative correlation with crude protein (-0.96), ash (-0.63*), ether extract (-0.75*), non-fibre carbohydrate (-0.88*), the nitrogen content of neutral detergent fibre (-0.94*), and the nitrogen content of the acid detergent fibre (-0.77*) of the test feeds (Table 9). Significant positive correlation was noted between methane production and neutral detergent fibre (0.93*), acid detergent fibre (0.96*), Lignin (0.99*), and cellulose (0.94*).

Table 9
− Pearson correlation between in vitro methane production and chemical constituents of test feeds.

Major feed components	CH4	Fiber components	CH4	Nitrogen component	CH4
Ash	-0.63*	NDF	0.93*	CP	-0.96*
EE	-0.76*	ADF	0.96*	NDIN	-0.94*
		ADL	0.99*	ADIN	-0.77*
		NFC	-0.88*
		Cellulose	0.94

• ^*
  significance difference (p < 0.001). EE-ether extract; CP-crude protein; ADF-acid detergent fibre; NDF-neutral detergent fibre; ADL-lignin; ADIN-the nitrogen content of ADF; NDIN-the nitrogen content of NDF; NFC- the non-fibre carbohydrate.

Discussion

Relative improvement of in vitro gas production and fibre degradation

The observed substantial improvement in fermentation due to the addition of enzymes as indicated by the relative improvement in percentage of gas production was associated with a simultaneous increase in fiber degradation and VFA production. The observed increase in fermentation and fiber degradability in our study is in agreement with many authors (Elwakeel et al., 2007; Eun and Beauchemin, 2007; Giraldo et al., 2008) who have reported an increase in fiber degradability of diets or feedstuffs with enzyme supplementation. Although the mechanism of this improvement is not clearly known, improvement in the attachment of microorganisms to the plant cell (Wang et al., 2001), or an alteration in the fiber structure due to the effects of the enzyme (Giraldo et al., 2008), or a combination of both, that would have shortened the lag time could be possible reasons for the improvement observed.

When enzymes act on the structures of plant cell walls, the microbes have better access to potentially ferment the fiber (Elwakeel et al., 2007). In addition, the 24 h pre -incubation of feed sample with enzymes in our study might have enhanced the attachment of enzymes to the cell wall component and thus improved fermentation of the feeds. The positive effect of pre-feeding treatment has been elaborated earlier by many researchers due to the enzyme-substrate pre-incubation interaction (Elwakeel et al., 2007; Krueger and Adesogan, 2008; Alvarez et al., 2009). According to Kung et al. (2002), the formation of stable enzyme-feed complex might increase the resistance of the enzymes to proteolysis and lengthen their residence during later fermentation periods. As a result of a continuous effect of the enzymes on the degradation of fiber of incubated feeds there will be improvement in fermentable metabolizable energy and this, in turn, is expected to increase the flow of microbial-N and microbial colonization of the substrate, resulting in enhanced fermentation and fiber degradation.

Change in methane production associated with level of enzyme application

The observed linear increase in the volume of methane production with the increase in level of enzyme application might be explained partly by an observed increase in degradability of OM associated with higher VFA production, but shifted towards more acetate production. The observed increase in acetate or acetate:propionate formation shifted VFA fermentation will support this. The increase in acetate or acetate:propionate formation with an increase in the level of enzyme application might have resulted in the formation of more H₂ which could be utilized by methanogens to produce methane. In contrast to our finding a decrease in the acetate:propionate ratio in the rumen fluid was reported by Arriola et al. (2011) during an in vivo study. However, the shift in the pattern of VFA seems to be influenced by the type of diet and enzyme preparations (Wang et al., 2001; Giraldo et al., 2008).

Our finding agrees with a number of researchers who found increased VFA production (Arriola et al., 2011) and production of acetate (Giraldo et al., 2007; Gado et al., 2009); which in turn was associated with an increase in methane production attributable to fibrolytic enzyme and their mixtures (Geraldo et al., 2007). Moreover, our finding agrees with Geraldo et al. (2007) who reported an increase in VFA production and production of acetate which in turn was associated with increased methane production as a result of the application of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes and their mixtures. Similar to our study, Chung et al. (2012) reported that increasing the dosage of enzyme supplementation linearly increased enteric CH₄ production of dairy cows when compared with the control. On the other hand, McGinn et al. (2004) found no effect of the enzyme on fiber digestibility and methane production in steers fed barley silage based diet whereas Beauchemin et al. (1999) and Yang et al. (1999) reported no effect of fibrolytic enzymes on rumen fermentation. The reported variations in different researches might be due to the type of microbial sources for enzymes and their preparations, the types of substrates evaluated and their methods of application.

Generally, a higher volume of methane was produced relatively from hay and maize stover substrate as compared to TMR (comparison not indicated). This might be due to the associated high levels of cell wall components (ADF, NDF, hemicellulose and cellulose) and lower CP and ME in the roughage substrate. In this study methane production was positively correlated with the former parameters while it was negatively correlated with the latter parameters (Table 7). This is mainly because the fermentability of the feed to its end products is primarily determined by digestibility that mainly depends on its composition. For example, VFA concentration and its relative proportion that mainly influence methane production are influenced by the nature and fermentation of carbohydrate.

According to Eun et al. (2004), methane production in the rumen generally depends on various factors, mainly the amount of fermentable carbohydrate and levels of fiber in the diet. However, the variation in amount of methane production with enzyme application might be influenced by the type and sources of enzymes, diet under consideration, pH considered, and rumen microbial population. This is because the feeds fermented with enzyme determine the amount and proportion of VFAs produced that further governs the fermentation pattern and methane production. Therefore, it is very important to consider the ratio of methane to OM degradability and fiber fermented or digested to compare the effects of different enzymes and their levels of application in reducing or increasing methane production.

The increase in methane production with enzyme addition might also be related to the change in rumen microbial and methanogen population as addition of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes may cause a shift in the type of VFA production, specifically, an increase in acetate proportion. Unfortunately, the rumen microbial population change was not assessed in this study but other studies have shown an increase or a shift in the methanogen population (Zhou et al., 2011), increased number of cellulolytic bacteria (Wang et al., 2001; Giraldo et al., 2007; Giraldo et al., 2008) for ruminants supplemented with exogenous fibrolytic enzyme. Although supplementation of exogenous fibrolytic enzyme is reported to cause a shift in the molar proportion of VFA, the shifts in pattern of VFA seem to be influenced by the type of diet and enzyme preparations (Wang et al., 2001; Giraldo et al., 2008) suggesting the need to include additive diets that may play a complementary role by serving as a hydrogen sink.

The enzymes studied were good candidates for the improvement of feed digestibility in ruminant diets, however, they cannot be used as a strategy to decrease methane production because VFA was not propionate shifted. If they have to be used considering efficiency of DM and NDF degradation and cost, the use of 1 mg g⁻¹ DM of enzyme can be a good option with these feeds. It is very important to consider other hydrogen sinks or additives that have some complementary role to directly capture the produced H⁺ , so that addition of enzymes could be very efficient and environmentally sound. In addition, in vivo methane production and the dynamics of rumen microbes and methanogens with exogenous fibrolytic enzyme application need to be considered in future investigations.

Conclusion

The addition of fibrolytic enzymes increased methane production. The increase was mainly due to a shift in VFA profiles, which favoured acetate. Considering the efficiency of DM and NDF degradation and the production of associated VFA with levels of enzymes, the use of 1 mg g⁻¹ DM of enzyme can be a good option for the feeds studied. However, they cannot decrease methane production since their increased fermentation result in increased H⁺ due to acetate shifted fermentation.

Acknowledgement

The project was financed partly by IAEA through a grant received by the University of Pretoria as part of research contract No. SAF 16326. Additional funding was provided by European Community’s Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under the grant agreement no 266018 ANIMALCHANGE and the National Research Foundation, South Africa. The authors are also grateful to the University of Pretoria for bursary award.

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• Edited by: Concepta Margaret McManus Pimentel

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Jan-Feb 2015

History

• Received
  23 Apr 2014
• Accepted
  27 July 2014