Use of a feed composition for reducing methane emission in ruminants, and/or to improve ruminant performance

Abstract

Methane emission in ruminants is reduced by the use of a feed composition or a feed additive comprising at least one antibiotic and at least one organic molecule substituted at any position with at least one nitrooxy group.

1 . A method for reducing the production of methane emanating from the digestive activities of ruminants and/or for improving ruminant animal performance comprising orally administering to the animal a sufficient amount of a feed composition or feed additive comprising at least one antibiotic, and at least one organic molecule substituted at any position with at least one nitrooxy group, or a salt thereof as defined by formula (I), 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein Y is an organic molecule of the following composition: C a H b O d N e S g , wherein
 a is comprised between 1 and 25, 
 b is comprised between 2 and 51, 
 d is comprised between 0 and 8, 
 e is comprised between 0 and 5, 
 g is comprised between 0 and 3, 
 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the feed composition or feed additive is administered to the animal in combination with at least one additional active substance selected from the group consisting of diallyl disulfide, garlic oil, allyl isothiocyanate, deoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid and derivatives thereof. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , the ruminant animal is selected from the group consisting of: cattle, goats, sheep, giraffes, American Bison, European bison, yaks, water buffalo, deer, camels, alpacas, llamas, wildebeest, antelope, pronghorn, and nilgai. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the at least one organic molecule as defined in formula (I) administered to the ruminant animal is from 1 mg to 10 g per kg feed, and the amount of antibiotic administered to the ruminant animal is from 0.5 mg to 150 g per kg feed. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the methane production in ruminants calculated in liters per kilogram of dry matter intake is reduced by at least 10% when measured in metabolic chambers. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of organic molecule as defined in formula (I)/antibiotic is comprised between 0.05 and 50.