The Effect of Fitosan Supplementation on Methane Production in Cow’s Rumen Liquid by In Vitro Method

Abstract

Abstract Methane is one of greenhouse emission gas causing climatic change and global warming. The biggest source of methane comes from the livestock sector. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of fitosan on methane production by using in vitro method. Before the in vitro test, the antimicrobial test of fitosan was measured by looking at the clear zone of the media containing bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative). In vitro method should be done by adding fitosan (0,15 mL, 0,3 mL, and 0,6 mL/30 mL media) and grass field powder into cow’s rumen liquid. Based on the results, fitosan has an antimicrobial ability to decrease the microbial activities both of Gram-positive or Gram-negative. Testing with the in vitro method showed that fitosan have the potency to reduce methane gas production about 23.34 – 31.85% compared to controls (without fitosan). The best treatment is treatment with the addition of fitosan with concentration of 0.6 mL per 30 mL of rumen fluid.