Modified Nano-Montmorillonite and Monensin Modulate Ruminal Fermentation, Nutrient Degradability, and Methanogenesis Differently.

Two types of modified nano-montmorillonite (MNM) were developed by ion-exchange reactions using two different surfactants; sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CETAB), to prepare MNM and MNM, respectively. Both MNM types were on the nano-scale and had higher cation-exchange capacity values than NM clay. The MNM had the highest zeta potential (-27 mV) compared with the other clays. Effects of MNM types on ruminal batch culture fermentation, nutrient degradability, and methane (CH) emission compared with monensin were evaluated using a semi-automatic gas production system. The experimental treatments were the control (0 supplementations), monensin (40 mg/kg DM), and NM (5 g NM/kg DM), and two levels of MNM and MNM were supplemented at 0.05 (low) and 0.5 (high) g/kg DM to the control basal feed substrate. Among the experimental treatments, the high dose of both MNM types reduced ( < 0.01) CH production and ammonia concentrations compared with the control, while only MNM treatment tended to increase ( = 0.08) the truly degraded organic matter compared with monensin. All MNM treatments increased ( < 0.01) acetate molar proportions compared with monensin. The high MNM increased ( < 0.01) the ruminal batch culture pH compared with the control and monensin. The MNM supplemented at 0.5 g/kg DM is the most efficient additive to reduce CH emission with the advantage of enhancing the nutrient degradability of the experimental feed substrate. These results indicated that MNM could modulate the ruminal fermentation pattern in a dose- and type-dependent manner.