14 research outputs found
Shelf-life stability of Asparagopsis bromoform in oil and freeze-dried powder
The idea of delivering bromoform from Asparagopsis using edible oil has gained momentum recently due to the improved processing time and that it is already a feed that many livestock producers use. The stability of bromoform in oil compared to freeze-dried product is still not well understood. To fill this gap, a systematic study was carried out to determine the effects of storage temperatures (40 °C, 25 °C, 4 °C and -20 °C), fluorescent light and exposure to open air, on the retention of bromoform in freeze-dried Asparagopsis (FD-Asp) and Asparagopsis oil (Asp-Oil) over 24-week period. In the absence of fluorescent light, Asp-Oil was a more effective way to preserve bromoform compared to FD-Asp due to either no change or higher Asp-Oil bromoform content (storage temperature dependent) after 24-week storage. Under the same conditions, FD-Asp bromoform content decreased by 74% at 40 °C, 53% at 25 °C, 6% at 4 °C, and no change of FD-Asp bromoform content at -20 °C. The presence of fluorescent light negatively affected Asp-Oil bromoform content at both 25 °C and 40 °C while the effect was insignificant on FD-Asp. The exposure of Asp-Oil to open air resulted in the decrease of bromoform content to below quantification limit (0.18 mg g(-1)) on week 8 for 40 °C sample and on week 16 for 25 °C sample. This study provides empirical evidence on the stabilising effect of oil in preserving bromoform extracted from Asparagopsis, confirming it is a more attractive medium to deliver bromoform compared to the freeze-dried powder form
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Investigating the Effects of Asparagopsis Seaweed on Enteric Methane Emissions and Animal Productivity in Ruminants
Enteric fermentation represents the largest single source of anthropogenic methane (CH4) emission in the United States, accounting for 30% and 27% of the total CH4 emitted in California (CARB, 2020) and nationwide (US EPA, 2019), respectively. Due to the significant impact of CH4 on climate change and the negative correlation of animal productivity and enteric CH4 production, there is great interest in identifying feed additives that might mitigate CH4 synthesis in the rumen ecosystem. The first aim of this dissertation is to support enteric CH4 mitigation efforts by identifying novel feed additives that have significant potential to reduce enteric CH4 production from ruminant livestock. Red pigmented macroalgae, specifically members from the genus Asparagopsis, have previously been identified as feed additive that possess high potential of anti-methanogenic properties, however, has not yet been tested widely. The second aim of this dissertation was to test the efficacy of Asparagopsis taxiformis (A. taxiformis), a red macroalgae that has shown to reduce enteric CH4 when used in an Australian production environment, using an in vitro rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) system to quantify the effects on enteric CH4 production and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production under feed regimes specific to California. When supplemented at a 5% organic matter (OM) dosage in vitro, A. taxiformis supplementation of CA specific cattle feed resulted in a 95% reduction in CH4 coupled with an increase in propionate to acetate ratio (Roque et al., 2019a). The third aim focused on the effects of the red macroalgae Asparagopsis armata (A. armata) on enteric CH4 synthesis and animal production parameters when fed to lactating dairy cows. A Latin square design was used with 3 treatment groups with 4 cows within each treatment and three 2-week treatment phases with 1-week washout periods between each treatment phase. Two doses of macroalgae were used (0.5% OM and 1.0% OM) in addition to the control group (0% OM) . Results from this study showed 26% and 67% decrease in CH4 production for 0.5% OM and 1.0% OM treatment groups, respectively. However, dry matter intake (DMI) was reduced by 10 kg/d between the control and 1.0% OM treatments, ultimately representing a reduction in milk yield of approximately 4 kg/d. Due to sorting behaviors observed in the dairy cows, we hypothesized that there was a taste aversion to high levels of macroalgae in the diet (Roque et al., 2019b). The fourth aim tested A. taxiformis macroalgae, similar to what was used in the in vitro study, fed to growing beef steers for 147 days. A randomized block design was used with 3 treatment groups (7 steers in each treatment). All steers were blocked by weight then randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups; control, 0.25% OM, and 0.5% OM. The objectives of this study were to determine the long-term (147 days) efficacy of macroalgae on reducing enteric CH4 and to determine if there were any effects on animal production. Results from this study indicate that A. taxiformis’ ability to reduce enteric CH4 persisted was more effective at reducing enteric CH4 compared to the (Roque et al., 2019b) dairy study and these effects persisted throughout the duration of the 147-day study. Additionally, reductions in DMI were also found in this study however, no changes in average daily weight gain (Roque et al., 2021). To further investigate macroalgae as a methane reducing feed additive, rumen fluid was collected from both in vivo studies and will be used to discover if there are changes happening to the rumen microbiome diversity and activity using metagenomic and metatranscriptomic approaches. The proposed objectives for future research are to observe the role that different rumen microbes play in methanogenesis as well as enteric fermentation in the rumen environment. Additionally, we will compare gene expression profiles of the rumen microbiome to determine which molecular processes are affected in the presence and absence of macroalgae
Effect of Mootral™ – a garlic and citrus extract based feed additive - on enteric methane emissions in feedlot cattle
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Investigating the Effects of Asparagopsis Seaweed on Enteric Methane Emissions and Animal Productivity in Ruminants
Enteric fermentation represents the largest single source of anthropogenic methane (CH4) emission in the United States, accounting for 30% and 27% of the total CH4 emitted in California (CARB, 2020) and nationwide (US EPA, 2019), respectively. Due to the significant impact of CH4 on climate change and the negative correlation of animal productivity and enteric CH4 production, there is great interest in identifying feed additives that might mitigate CH4 synthesis in the rumen ecosystem. The first aim of this dissertation is to support enteric CH4 mitigation efforts by identifying novel feed additives that have significant potential to reduce enteric CH4 production from ruminant livestock. Red pigmented macroalgae, specifically members from the genus Asparagopsis, have previously been identified as feed additive that possess high potential of anti-methanogenic properties, however, has not yet been tested widely. The second aim of this dissertation was to test the efficacy of Asparagopsis taxiformis (A. taxiformis), a red macroalgae that has shown to reduce enteric CH4 when used in an Australian production environment, using an in vitro rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) system to quantify the effects on enteric CH4 production and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production under feed regimes specific to California. When supplemented at a 5% organic matter (OM) dosage in vitro, A. taxiformis supplementation of CA specific cattle feed resulted in a 95% reduction in CH4 coupled with an increase in propionate to acetate ratio (Roque et al., 2019a). The third aim focused on the effects of the red macroalgae Asparagopsis armata (A. armata) on enteric CH4 synthesis and animal production parameters when fed to lactating dairy cows. A Latin square design was used with 3 treatment groups with 4 cows within each treatment and three 2-week treatment phases with 1-week washout periods between each treatment phase. Two doses of macroalgae were used (0.5% OM and 1.0% OM) in addition to the control group (0% OM) . Results from this study showed 26% and 67% decrease in CH4 production for 0.5% OM and 1.0% OM treatment groups, respectively. However, dry matter intake (DMI) was reduced by 10 kg/d between the control and 1.0% OM treatments, ultimately representing a reduction in milk yield of approximately 4 kg/d. Due to sorting behaviors observed in the dairy cows, we hypothesized that there was a taste aversion to high levels of macroalgae in the diet (Roque et al., 2019b). The fourth aim tested A. taxiformis macroalgae, similar to what was used in the in vitro study, fed to growing beef steers for 147 days. A randomized block design was used with 3 treatment groups (7 steers in each treatment). All steers were blocked by weight then randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups; control, 0.25% OM, and 0.5% OM. The objectives of this study were to determine the long-term (147 days) efficacy of macroalgae on reducing enteric CH4 and to determine if there were any effects on animal production. Results from this study indicate that A. taxiformis’ ability to reduce enteric CH4 persisted was more effective at reducing enteric CH4 compared to the (Roque et al., 2019b) dairy study and these effects persisted throughout the duration of the 147-day study. Additionally, reductions in DMI were also found in this study however, no changes in average daily weight gain (Roque et al., 2021). To further investigate macroalgae as a methane reducing feed additive, rumen fluid was collected from both in vivo studies and will be used to discover if there are changes happening to the rumen microbiome diversity and activity using metagenomic and metatranscriptomic approaches. The proposed objectives for future research are to observe the role that different rumen microbes play in methanogenesis as well as enteric fermentation in the rumen environment. Additionally, we will compare gene expression profiles of the rumen microbiome to determine which molecular processes are affected in the presence and absence of macroalgae
Effect of the macroalgae Asparagopsis taxiformis on methane production and rumen microbiome assemblage.
Effect of the macroalgae Asparagopsis taxiformis on methane production and rumen microbiome assemblage (vol 1, 3, 2019)
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Effect of Mootral™ – a garlic and citrus extract based feed additive - on enteric methane emissions in feedlot cattle
Enteric methane (CH4) production is the main source of greenhouse gas emissions from livestock globally with beef cattle contributing 5.95% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. Various mitigation strategies have been developed to reduce enteric emissions with limited success. In vitro studies have shown a reduction in CH4 emissions when using garlic and citrus extracts. However, there is paucity of data regarding in vivo studies investigating the effect of garlic and citrus extracts in cattle. The objective of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the response of Angus × Hereford cross steers consuming the feed additive Mootral, which contains extracts of both garlic and citrus, on CH4 yield (g/kg dry matter intake [DMI]). Twenty steers were randomly assigned to two treatments: control (no additive) and Mootral supplied at 15 g/d in a completely randomized design with a 2-wk covariate and a 12-wk data collection periods. Enteric CH4 emissions were measured using the GreenFeed system during the covariate period and experimental weeks 2, 6, 9, and 12. CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) by steers remained similar in both treatments for weeks 2 to 9. In week 12, there was a significant decrease in CH4 yield (23.2%) in treatment compared to control steers mainly because the steers were consuming all the pellets containing the additive. However, overall CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) during the entire experimental period was not significantly different. Carbon dioxide yield (g/kg DMI) and oxygen consumption (g/kg DMI) did not differ between treatments during the entire experimental period. DMI, average daily gain, and feed efficiency also remained similar in control and supplemented steers. The in vivo results showed that Mootral may have a potential to be used as a feed additive to reduce enteric CH4 production and yield in beef cattle but needs further investigation under various dietary regimen
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Effects of red macroalgae Asparagopsis taxiformis supplementation on the shelf life of fresh whole muscle beef
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of red macroalgae Asparagopsis taxiformis supplementation for cattle on the shelf life of fresh beef steaks (longissimus dorsi). Three treatment groups (seven steers per treatment) included: 1) Control diet, 2) Control diet + 0.25% of macroalgae inclusion (low dose, LD), and 3) Control + 0.5% of macroalgae inclusion (high dose, HD). After the animals were harvested, the strip loins from all animals were collected and aged for 14 days at the meat lab of the University of California, Davis. Then the strip loins were cut into steaks, packaged, and placed on a retail display case for 6 days. During a retail display, instrumental color (L*, a*, and b*) of lean muscle and external fat surfaces were measured every 12 h. Bacterial counts for total aerobic mesophilic bacteria (AMB), aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria (APB), and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were assessed on days 0, 3, and 6 of retail display. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) analysis was conducted to measure the lipid oxidation and the pH was also assessed on days 0, 3, and 6. No interactive effect between treatments and time on the shelf life of steaks was observed. The HD red macroalgae supplement decreased (P < 0.05) the lightness (L*) of the surface muscle of the steaks, while the lightness of the external fat was not affected (P < 0.05) by treatments throughout the retail display. The external fat yellowness of the steaks was lower (P < 0.05) in LD and HD treatment groups compared with the control group. An increase (P < 0.05) in counts of AMB, APB, and LAB was observed on the steaks from the steers in the HD treatment group while steaks in Control and LD group had similar bacterial numbers throughout the retail display. The results indicated that the shelf life of steaks from cattle in LD group remained the same as that of the Control group, but the HD of A. taxiformis caused a darker color of steaks with higher microbial counts, which may lead to a shortened shelf life due to undesirable appearance and faster microbial spoilage
Enteric methane mitigation interventions
Mitigation of enteric methane (CH4) presents a feasible approach to curbing agriculture's contribution to climate change. One intervention for reduction is dietary reformulation, which manipulates the composition of feedstuffs in ruminant diets to redirect fermentation processes toward low CH4 emissions. Examples include reducing the relative proportion of forages to concentrates, determining the rate of digestibility and passage rate from the rumen, and dietary lipid inclusion. Feed additives present another intervention for CH4 abatement and are classified based on their mode of action. Through inhibition of key enzymes, 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) and halogenated compounds directly target the methanogenesis pathway. Rumen environment modifiers, including nitrates, essential oils, and tannins, act on the conditions that affect methanogens and remove the accessibility of fermentation products needed for CH4 formation. Low CH4-emitting animals can also be directly or indirectly selected through breeding interventions, and genome-wide association studies are expected to provide efficient selection decisions. Overall, dietary reformulation and feed additive inclusion provide immediate and reversible effects, while selective breeding produces lasting, cumulative CH4 emission reductions
Red seaweed (Asparagopsis taxiformis) supplementation reduces enteric methane by over 80 percent in beef steers.
The red macroalgae (seaweed) Asparagopsis spp. has shown to reduce ruminant enteric methane (CH4) production up to 99% in vitro. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Asparagopsis taxiformis on CH4 production (g/day per animal), yield (g CH4/kg dry matter intake (DMI)), and intensity (g CH4/kg ADG); average daily gain (ADG; kg gain/day), feed conversion efficiency (FCE; kg ADG/kg DMI), and carcass and meat quality in growing beef steers. Twenty-one Angus-Hereford beef steers were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups: 0% (Control), 0.25% (Low), and 0.5% (High) A. taxiformis inclusion based on organic matter intake. Steers were fed 3 diets: high, medium, and low forage total mixed ration (TMR) representing life-stage diets of growing beef steers. The Low and High treatments over 147 days reduced enteric CH4 yield 45 and 68%, respectively. However, there was an interaction between TMR type and the magnitude of CH4 yield reduction. Supplementing low forage TMR reduced CH4 yield 69.8% (P <0.01) for Low and 80% (P <0.01) for High treatments. Hydrogen (H2) yield (g H2/DMI) increased (P <0.01) 336 and 590% compared to Control for the Low and High treatments, respectively. Carbon dioxide (CO2) yield (g CO2/DMI) increased 13.7% between Control and High treatments (P = 0.03). No differences were found in ADG, carcass quality, strip loin proximate analysis and shear force, or consumer taste preferences. DMI tended to decrease 8% (P = 0.08) in the Low treatment and DMI decreased 14% (P <0.01) in the High treatment. Conversely, FCE tended to increase 7% in Low (P = 0.06) and increased 14% in High (P <0.01) treatment compared to Control. The persistent reduction of CH4 by A. taxiformis supplementation suggests that this is a viable feed additive to significantly decrease the carbon footprint of ruminant livestock and potentially increase production efficiency