We are performing an experiment to estimate the change in the microbial profile in the gut of dairy cattle to different diets. The experiment's main aim is to see if there is a reduction in methane emissions and a change in the microbial profile of the gut. We are planning to perform a microbiome analysis to get a complete estimate of the change in the microbial profile.
The question here is;
1. Is microbiome testing the best method to go about estimating the reduction in methane emissions? (as it can be used to estimate the methanogenic archaea in the gut). Is the result really reliable?
2. Is In-VItro testing to estimate methane testing a good way to measure methane emissions, is this testing reliable?
Thank you.
I would say that there is not best in research in general. Everything is relative. And the results can also be dependent on what is your experiment about and what and how you design the experiment in terms of microbiology. As of your question, point 1 and 2 in not separate and can be done in parallel.
There are so many studies done on this topic which surely can help you in designing the study and to understand what is needed.
However, in the end everything would come to you what you are doing to do and how present the study.
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