Methane inhibitors

Ruminants such as cattle and sheep digest their feed through a microbial fermentation which takes place in their ‘first stomach’ – the rumen.  Some of those microbes form methane as a natural bi-product of that process, and methane is recognized as a significant greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

Methane inhibitors may be regarded as veterinary medicines or feed additives, depending on local regulations.  They modify the way that enteric fermentation takes place in the rumen – reducing methane production, and sometimes improving animal production as well.  Increasingly methane inhibitors are seen as making farming more sustainable, by providing a benefit for the planet as well as improving efficiency in animal farming systems.

ALS offers world-leading services to companies who are developing methane inhibitors.  These include compound discovery, early-stage research, efficacy and safety testing, and regulatory approval (including testing in a wide range of sample types to the GLP (OECD) standard).  Companies wishing to develop methane inhibitor compounds already choose ALS for our experience as a partner in their end-to-end product development process.

Once in commercial use, ALS testing can be used for food safety assurance, confirming residual levels (if any) of methane inhibitor compounds in milk, meat, and other products.

ALS has expertise with all major methane inhibitor compounds.  In particular, we have globally leading expertise with tribromomethane (bromoform), along with the compounds that it breaks down to (dibromomethane, bromide, and bromine) which are important for regulatory purposes.  Our testing can be used in materials with high concentrations that are being used to administer to animals, or for residue analysis in all common types of samples taken from animals.  It can also be applied to animal products such as dairy and meat, and to water and soil.

ALS is a globally connected company, with testing facilities in over 70 countries.  Through a combination of secure logistics to move samples to centres of excellence, and method transfer to provide local services, a world class solution is available to those who need it.