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The Use of an Automated System GreenFeed to Monitor Enteric Methane and Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Ruminant Animals
Published on: September 7, 2015
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Dietary plant extracts reduce methane emission and modulate rumen microbial functionality in Merino lambs
Abiodun Mayowa Akanmu1, Abubeker Hassen2, Este van Marle-Köster2
1Department of Animal Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa. abiodun.akanmu@up.ac.za.
Scientific Reports
|April 2, 2026
Summary
Phytogenic feed additives from Moringa, Jatropha, and Aloe vera improve sheep diet digestibility and reduce methane emissions. These plant extracts offer a sustainable approach to enhance ruminant production efficiency and mitigate environmental impact.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Enteric methane production in ruminants causes significant energy loss and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
- Phytogenic feed additives are explored as sustainable alternatives to synthetic additives for improving nutrient utilization and reducing methane.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of Moringa oleifera, Jatropha curcas, and Aloe vera extracts on South African Mutton Merino lambs.
- To assess impacts on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, methane production, rumen fermentation, and microbial diversity.
Main Methods:
- An in vivo feeding trial with South African Mutton Merino lambs.
- Supplementation with Moringa oleifera, Jatropha curcas, and Aloe vera extracts.
- Shotgun metagenomic sequencing for microbial diversity and functionality analysis.
Main Results:
- Moringa and Jatropha supplementation improved dry matter and crude protein digestibility.
- Methane emissions decreased by 17% (Jatropha), 9% (Moringa), and 12% (Aloe) compared to the control.
- Ammonia nitrogen concentrations were reduced, while volatile fatty acids and growth performance remained unaffected.
- Metagenomic profiling indicated gene enrichment related to protein and carbohydrate metabolism in supplemented lambs.
Conclusions:
- Moringa oleifera, Jatropha curcas, and Aloe vera extracts effectively reduce methane emissions and enhance nutrient digestibility in lambs.
- These phytogenic extracts can be utilized as sustainable feed additives to improve ruminant production efficiency.
- The study suggests potential for these additives to mitigate the environmental footprint of livestock production.
Keywords:
Aloe veraDigestibilityJatropha curcasMoringa oleiferaRumen microbiomeShotgun metagenomicsSustainable ruminant productionMore Related Videos
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