Methane production by fermentation cultures acclimated to waste from cattle fed monensin, lasalocid, salinomycin, or avoparcin
The ability of microorganisms to ferment waste from cattle fed monensin, lasalocid, or salinomycin to methane was determined. Continuously mixed anaerobic fermentors with 3-liter working volumes at 55 degrees C were used; fermentors were fed once per day. Initially, all fermentors were fed waste without antibiotics at 6% volatile solids (VSs, organic matter) and a 20-day retention time (RT) for 60 days. Waste from animals fed monensin, lasalocid, or salinomycin at 29, 20, and 16.5 mg per kg of feed, respectively, was added to duplicate fermentors at the above VSs, and RT. Avoparcin (5 to 45 mg/liter) was not fed to animals but was added directly to duplicate fermentors. Lasalocid and salinomycin had minimal effects of the rate of methane production at RTs of 20 days and later at 6.5 days. Avoparcin caused an increaes in organic acids from 599 to 1,672 mg/liter (as acetate) after 4 weeks, but by 6 weeks, acid concentrations declined and the rate of methane production was similar to controls at 6.5 day RT. The monensin fermentors stopped producing methane 3 weeks after antibiotic addition. However, after a 6-month acclimation period, the microorganisms apparently adapted, and methane production rates of 1.65 and 2.51 liters per liter of fermentor volume per day were obtained with 6% VSs, and RTs of 10 and 6.5 days, respectively. All fermentors that were fed waste containing antibiotics had lower pH values and ammonia and alkalinity concentrations, suggesting less buffering capacity and protein catabolism than in controls. Acclimation results obtained with fermentors at 35 degrees C were similar to those for fermentors at 55 degrees C. These studies indicate that waste from cattle fed these selected growth-promoting antibiotics can be thermophilically fermented to methane at RTs of 6.5 days or longer and VS concentrations of 6%, at rates comparable to waste without antibiotics. (Refs. 21).
- Research Organization:
- Roman L Hruska US Meat Animal Research Center, Science and Education Administration, Agricultural Research Service, US Dept of Agriculture, Clay Center, NE 68933
- OSTI ID:
- 6022387
- Journal Information:
- Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Vol. 44:6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
MANURES
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
METHANE
PRODUCTION
CATTLE
CHEMICAL REACTORS
DIET
GROWTH
ORGANIC ACIDS
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
ALKANES
ANIMALS
BIOCONVERSION
DIGESTION
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
HYDROCARBONS
MAMMALS
MANAGEMENT
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC WASTES
PROCESSING
RUMINANTS
VERTEBRATES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES
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