Effects of elemental magnesium and magnesium oxide on hydrogen, methane and volatile fatty acids production in in vitro rumen batch cultures

This study aimed to examine the hypothesis that extra molecular hydrogen (H2) produced by elemental magnesium (Mg) could alter rumen fermentation and methanogenesis in in vitro batch incubation. As elevated Mg2+ may exert negative effects on rumen fermentation, magnesium oxide (MgO) was also included for comparison. Mulberry leaf and corn grain had contrast chemical composition and thus were selected as substrates for incubation. Both elemental...