Gas Endeavour: An Innovative Equipment for Estimating Methane Kinetics During <i>In Vitro</i> Rumen Fermentation
2025
Rashid Iqbal | Sheyla Arango | Franco Tagliapietra | Lucia Bailoni
The growing need to reduce methane emissions from ruminants while enhancing feed utilization has driven the development of innovative <i>in vitro</i> measurement techniques. This review examines the Gas Endeavour (GES), an automated volumetric apparatus that quantifies both total gas and methane production in real time during rumen fermentation. Utilizing the principles of liquid displacement and buoyancy, the GES integrates a thermostatically controlled water bath, specialized gas flow cells, and an alkaline CO<sub>2</sub> absorption unit to deliver precise kinetic data on fermentation. Compared to conventional methods—which often rely on manual measurements and post-incubation gas chromatography—the GES provides continuous monitoring and immediate data acquisition, reducing labour and potential errors. This review discusses the system’s design, operational challenges such as controlling headspace pressure and ensuring consistent inoculum preparation, and its applications in both animal nutrition and biomethane potential assessments. The findings suggest that, with further standardization and protocol refinement, the GES could significantly advance research aimed at optimizing feed digestibility and mitigating methane emissions in ruminant production systems.
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