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Developing methane-reducing feed additives for cattle through sensitivity analysis of mathematical models

Mathematical Biology

Speaker: Katarina Merk, UC Davis
Location: 2112 MSB
Start time: Mon, Mar 13 2023, 4:10PM

Ruminant animals rely on microbes to convert complex plant material into metabolizable compounds. During enteric fermentation, the anaerobic conversion of plant biomass, a group of microbes, the methanogenic archaea, convert hydrogen into methane (CH4). The red seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis has been identified as a promising feed additive that reduced enteric CH4 by over 80% when added to regular cattle diet. Mathematical models that permit in silico simulation of enteric fermentation enable a more complete understanding of the microbial interactions during enteric fermentation and can enable the identification of key parameters that drive methane production in the rumen ecosystem. We built upon an existing rumen fermentation model and calibrated it with functional microbial groups and gas emission data from an in vitro rumen fermentation experiment. In addition, with the use of local and global sensitivity analysis approaches, our revised model identified rumen parameters that might be key drivers in enteric methane production, providing potential targets for advanced methane mitigation strategies.