Researchers who studied digestive microbes in termite stomachs say their findings could help solve problems caused by methane-belching cows. Methane gas expelled from the world's cows has been blamed for contributing to global warming. But Michigan State University microbiologists who isolated termite microbes said today they found gases like those in cow stomachs can be converted to nutritionally valuable acetic acid instead of methane. The researchers led by MSU's John Breznak theorize that microbes provide clues to reducing cow-methane emissions while at the same time boosting the animals' milk and meat output.
Spirochetes convert two gases in termite stomachs, hydrogen and carbon dioxide, into acetic acid.
Acetic acid, which is essentially vinegar, can provide all of a termite's nutritional needs. Like termites, cows eat plant materials and thus get hydrogen and carbon dioxide in their stomachs. But in cows, the gases combine to form methane, which is belched. Farmers would be very happy about that. Researchers say the study of termite flora also could help find treatments for Lyme disease, syphilis and gum disease, which are linked to spirochetes.