Enteric fermentation

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Enteric fermentation is fermentation that takes place in the digestive systems of ruminant animals.

It is one of the factors in increased methane emissions.

Ruminant animals are those that have a rumen. A rumen is a special stomach found in cows, sheep, and water buffalo that enables them to eat tough plants and grains that monogastric animals, such as humans, dogs, and cats, cannot digest.

Enteric fermentation occurs when methane (CH₄) is produced in the rumen as microbial fermentation takes place. Over 200 species of microorganisms are present in the rumen, although only about 10% of these play an important role in digestion. Most of the CH₄ biproduct is belched by the animal, however, a small percentage of CH₄ is also produced in the large intestine and passed out as gas.

In some countries, ruminant animals account for over half of their green house gas contribution from methane.^{[citation needed]} Australia has implemented a voluntary immunization program for cattle in order to help reduce flatulence-produced CH₄.

[edit] References

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International Anthropogenic Methane Emissions: Estimates for 1990, EPA-230-R-93-010. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Global Change Division, Office of Air and Radiation, Washington, DC, 1994.
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