This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of garlic, oregano, and monolaurin applied individually or as a functional blend on in vitro rumen fermentation and methane production. Three levels (0.2%, 0.5%, and 1.0%) of each material were suppleme...
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of garlic, oregano, and monolaurin applied individually or as a functional blend on in vitro rumen fermentation and methane production. Three levels (0.2%, 0.5%, and 1.0%) of each material were supplemented during 24 h batch culture fermentation to determine their dose dependent effects. The results indicated that all three materials showed methane mitigating activity, while monolaurin exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect, with methane production decreasing markedly as the supplementation level increased (P<0.05). Garlic and oregano also contributed to methane reduction by shifting fermentation patterns toward propionate production, thereby redirecting metabolic hydrogen from methanogenesis.
In the blend ratio experiment, the 8:1:1 combination of monolaurin:garlic:oregano (MGO3) demonstrated the most stable rumen fermentation with the greatest methane inhibition. Further evaluation of supplementation levels revealed that 0.5% and 1.0% of the MGO 3 blend reduced methane production by approximately 97% and 99%, respectively, compared with the control (P<0.05). Propionate concentration increased while the acetic acid to propionic acid ratio decreased across treatments, suggesting enhanced alternative hydrogen utilization. Rumen pH and total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) concentrations remained within the normal physiological range, indicating that fermentation activity was not adversely affected.
Overall, the results suggest that the garlic, oregano, monolaurin blend is an effective methane-reducing feed additive under in vitro conditions.