Inhibition of growth of methane-producing bacteria of the ruminant forestomach by hydroxymethylglutaryl similar to SCoA reductase inhibitors

Two hydroxymethylglutaryl similar to SCoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, m evastatin and lovastatin, inhibited the in vitro growth and production of C H4 of strains of Methanobrevibacter isolated from the rumen. Mevastatin or lovastatin did not inhibit growth of species of rumen bacteria that are ess ential for fermenting cellulose, starch and other plant polysaccharides to acetate, propionate, and butyrate. Approximately 4 nmol of lovastatin per m illiliter resulted in 50% growth inhibition of Methanobrevibacter strain ZA 10 and concentrations greater than or equal to 10 nmol per milliliter compl etely inhibited growth and CH4 formation. Results of in vitro growth studie s suggest that supplementation of ruminant feeds with HMG-CoA inhibitors co uld decrease ruminant methane production and increase the efficiency of fee d utilization by domestic ruminants.