MÉTODOS PARA MENSURAÇÃO DE METANO ENTÉRICO EM RUMINANTES: UMA REVISÃO
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31413/nat.v14i3.20912Keywords:
fermentação entérica, gases de efeito estufa, mitigação de metanoAbstract
Este artigo revisa os principais métodos utilizados para mensurar a emissão de metano entérico (CH₄) em ruminantes, destacando sua importância ambiental como gás de efeito estufa e sua origem como subproduto da fermentação ruminal. São abordadas as principais rotas bioquímicas da metanogênese, com ênfase na atuação das arqueas metanogênicas e na necessidade de remoção do hidrogênio para a manutenção do equilíbrio redox no rúmen. O estudo compara as vantagens, limitações e aplicabilidade dos principais métodos de quantificação de CH₄, incluindo câmaras respirométricas, o sistema GreenFeed, a técnica do gás traçador SF₆, máscaras respirométricas, técnicas in vitro e modelos matemáticos. Adicionalmente, foi realizada uma meta-análise com base em sete estudos, cujos resultados indicaram estimativas semelhantes das emissões de metano entérico entre as câmaras respirométricas, o sistema GreenFeed e a técnica do SF₆. Também são discutidas estratégias nutricionais para a mitigação das emissões, incluindo a manipulação da dieta, considerado uma das alternativas mais eficientes. Além disso, destaca-se o papel do melhoramento genético na redução sustentável das emissões, dada a herdabilidade moderada e a variabilidade individual na produção de CH₄. Por fim, modelos preditivos, especialmente o NS Dairy Cattle, são apresentados como ferramentas práticas para estimar as emissões de metano entérico e auxiliar na avaliação e no desenvolvimento de estratégias de mitigação.
Palavras-chave: fermentação entérica; gases de efeito estufa; mitigação de metano.
Methods for measuring enteric methane in ruminants: a review
ABSTRACT: This article reviews the main methods used to measure enteric methane (CH₄) emissions in ruminants, highlighting their environmental importance as a greenhouse gas and their origin as a byproduct of ruminal fermentation. The main biochemical pathways of methanogenesis are addressed, with emphasis on the activity of methanogenic archaea and the need for hydrogen removal to maintain redox balance in the rumen. The study compares the advantages, limitations, and applicability of the main methods for CH₄ quantification, including respiration chambers, the GreenFeed system, the SF₆ tracer gas technique, respiration masks, in vitro techniques, and mathematical models. Additionally, a meta-analysis based on seven studies was conducted, and its results indicated similar estimates of enteric methane emissions among respiration chambers, the GreenFeed system, and the SF₆ technique. Nutritional strategies for mitigating emissions are also discussed, considered one of the most effective alternatives. Furthermore, the role of genetic improvement in the sustainable reduction of emissions is highlighted, considering the moderate heritability and individual variability in CH₄ production. Finally, predictive models, particularly for dairy cattle, are presented as practical tools for estimating enteric methane emissions and supporting the evaluation and development of mitigation strategies.
Keywords: enteric fermentation; greenhouse gases; methane mitigation.
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