Significance of methane production in ruminants
The carbohydrate fermenting bacteria produce formate, hydrogen and CO2.
The methanogens transform the H2 and CO2 into CH4.
The formate is converted into H2 and CO2.
Methanogens preferentially use formate as substrate for methanogenesis. The methanogens act as an electron sink and favors acetate production. This is known as interspecies H2 transfer that helps to maintain low partial pressure of H2. This favors acetate production from pyruvate and discourages the formation of ethyl alcohol.
Upon the accumulation of H2,the formation of H2 from NADH is inhibited and NADH formed during glycolysis is deoxidized to form alcohol.