Effects of functionalised nanoparticles on rumen archaeal community and methane emissions in a continuous rumen fermenter

Agricultural methane produced by archaea in the forestomach of ruminants are a key contributor to rising levels of CO2 equivalents and an increasingly volatile climate. Functionalised biological nanoparticles offer a tantalizing new concept for the reduction of enteric methane emissions without negatively affecting animal productivity. Polyhydroxybutyrate nanoparticles were functionalised in vivo with an archaeal virus lytic enzyme, PeiR, active against a range of rumen Methanobrevibacter species. Effects on rumen archaeal communitites and methane production were measured in a proxy rumen system.The rumen was simulated by a continuous flow fermenter pulse-dosed for 11 days and methane reduction of up to 15% was observed.