Indictable Mitigation of Methane Emission Using Some Organic Acids as Additives Towards a Cleaner Ecosystem

Abstract: Current study was conducted to figure out the effects of some organic acids as either individually or in combinations at varying levels (Fumaric Acid (Fu), Malic Acid (Ma), Formic Acid (Fo), Fu + Ma, Fu + Fo, Fo + Ma and Fu + Ma + Fo) on volatile fatty acids (VFA) and methane mitigating of some legume forages such as alfalfa (Medicago polymorphia), clover (Trifolium repens) and vetch (Vicia villosa). Graded 100 ml syringes were used in gas production test. Gas volume was measured and sampled at 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of incubation times, headspace produced methane was sampled at 24 h and the VFA profile was assessed at the end of the experiment. Obtained data were analyzed by exploiting SAS package program. Effects of legume forage × organic acid interactions and legume forages on the amounts of gas production determined at different incubation times and the amounts of methane production measured at 24 h of incubation were found significant (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Simultaneously, increasing Fumaric acid, enhanced Propionic Acid percentage (P > 0.05). Reduction in Acetic Acid percentage was discovered for samples treated with Formic Acid (P < 0.05) but for Butyric Acid samples that treated with Malic Acid showed lower percentage (P < 0.05). As a consequence, the addition of fumaric acid to legume forages was more effective than the other organic acids as either individually or in combinations at varying levels since it was able to increase the amounts of total gas production determined at 24 h and at 96 h, decreased the amount of methane measured at 24 h of incubation. Hence, the fumaric acid could be employed in a nature-friendly and continual way to diminish methane emissions and avoid waste of energy from ruminants thereby improving environmental conditions. Graphic Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]