The complexity of the rumen microbial ecosystem supports the efficient conversion of various carbohydrates to volatile fatty acids for fulfilling host energy requirement via stepwise disposal of hydrogen (H₂) through the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to methane (CH₄). Although, this mechanism...

1% per annum. To stabilize this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, global CH₄ production needs to be reduced by 10-20%. Ruminants fed on low-quality feed/fodder produce over 75% of the CH₄ generated by ruminants worldwide. Strategic supplementation to improve digestive efficiency in these animals...

Bacteria capable of producing acetate from H₂ and CO₂ using the acetyl-CoA pathway (4H₂+2CO₂ → CH₃COOH+2H₂O) are known as acetogens. They have been found in a variety of anaerobic ecosystems, including sediments, wastewater treatment systems, soils and animal gut systems. In recent years, acetogens ...

This chapter discusses the manipulation of rumen microorganism ecology in order to achieve sustainable animal production. Covered in this chapter are the rumen microbiome (methanogenic archaea and rumen protozoa), methane emission from livestock farming and feeding (particularly ruminants) and...

This chapter discusses the process of alloenzymatic digestion in ruminant and non-ruminant domestic, zoo and wild herbivores.

This chapter describes the Nutrient digestion pathways and processes in mammals, including the influence of rumen bacteria, protozoa and fungi on rumen digestion.

Simulation studies demonstrated the difference between current practice (static representation) and a dynamic representation of rumen function. Where current feed evaluation indicated absent or linear responses to changes in dry matter intake (DMI) and exchange of grass and maize silage, simulated...