Inhibition of methanogenesis

Information

  • Research Project
  • 6857556
  • ApplicationId
    6857556
  • Core Project Number
    R41GM064297
  • Full Project Number
    7R41GM064297-02
  • Serial Number
    64297
  • FOA Number
  • Sub Project Id
  • Project Start Date
    9/30/2001 - 23 years ago
  • Project End Date
    2/28/2005 - 19 years ago
  • Program Officer Name
  • Budget Start Date
    1/15/2003 - 21 years ago
  • Budget End Date
    2/28/2005 - 19 years ago
  • Fiscal Year
    2001
  • Support Year
    2
  • Suffix
  • Award Notice Date
    3/1/2004 - 20 years ago
Organizations

Inhibition of methanogenesis

DESCRIPTION:(provided by applicant) The goal of this project is to develop a novel inhibitor of methane formation in ruminant animals. Currently, monensin, a relatively nonspecific antibiotic, is widely used in the livestock industry. Monensin increases agricultural productivity by decreasing methane and increasing propionate production; however, it also inhibits acetogenesis, which is a beneficial process for the animal. We will target a specific biosynthetic enzyme that catalyzes an essential step for survival of methanogenic microbes, which are members of the kingdom Archaea, yet is not present in eukaryotes or bacteria. A specific methanogenesis inhibitor would have the benefits of monensin on increased productivity without the detrimental effect of antiobiotic use. It should have significant market value. The immediate projected use would be on feedlot cattle, pigs, and sheep. Such an inhibitor could also be used to decrease methane production in the human Gl tract. Since domesticated livestock is the largest global source of methane, inhibiting methanogenesis by ruminant animals has the potential of mitigating the greenhouse effect. Our plan is to synthesize and characterize inhibitors of the biosynthetic enzyme that arrest methanogenesis at a concentration of 10 micromolar or lower. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: We plan to develop an inhibitor of methanogenesis that would replace monensin, which is widely used on feedlot cattle. If one considers the use of an inhibitor only on feedlot cattle, an estimate about $1.7 billion dollars can be made. Currently, the cost of monensin (rumensin) use in the US alone is $383 million.

IC Name
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
  • Activity
    R41
  • Administering IC
    GM
  • Application Type
    7
  • Direct Cost Amount
  • Indirect Cost Amount
  • Total Cost
    89550
  • Sub Project Total Cost
  • ARRA Funded
  • CFDA Code
    821
  • Ed Inst. Type
  • Funding ICs
    NIGMS:89550\
  • Funding Mechanism
  • Study Section
    ZRG1
  • Study Section Name
    Special Emphasis Panel
  • Organization Name
    PHARMAGRA LABS, INC.
  • Organization Department
  • Organization DUNS
  • Organization City
    BREVARD
  • Organization State
    NC
  • Organization Country
    UNITED STATES
  • Organization Zip Code
    28712
  • Organization District
    UNITED STATES