This project aims to mechanistically quantify how hydrogen metabolism is re-partitioned in the rumen following methanogen inhibition. It tests the hypothesis that, when methane formation is suppressed, the rumen microbiota activates alternative hydrogenotrophic pathways to maintain redox balance.
By integrating microbial community dynamics with fermentation outputs and gas profiles, the study will elucidate how electron flow is redirected away from methane toward competing sinks such as propionate and other reduced metabolites.