Whole seaweed outperforms bromoform in reducing livestock methane emissions

By Agroempresario.com

A recent study published in Animal Feed Science and Technology has demonstrated that feeding cattle whole Asparagopsis armata seaweed is significantly more effective in reducing methane emissions compared to isolated bromoform, its primary bioactive component. Conducted in vitro, the peer-reviewed research funded by Asparagopsis grower CH4 Global, compared the efficacy of whole seaweed versus pure bromoform on methane reduction in the rumen fluid of Holstein cows.

The study revealed that including 0.5% of whole Asparagopsis in cattle diets reduced methane emissions by an impressive 95.6%, whereas an equivalent dose of bromoform alone achieved only a 59.6% reduction. This finding is crucial, as cow burps contribute significantly to methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas generated during the decomposition of manure and produced by microbes in the rumen.

While some companies extract bromoform from seaweed or synthesize it chemically, the study argues that whole Asparagopsis contains other components that enhance its methane-reducing effects. The authors stated, “The Asparagopsis armata biomass was effective in decreasing methane yield at supplementing levels of 0.25 and 0.50% by 62.5% and 95.6% respectively, while the bromoform levels added to the basal diet led to a reduction of methane yield by only 23.0% and 59.6%.”

They also noted that for bromoform to match the methane reduction potential of 0.5% Asparagopsis biomass, higher dosages would be required, raising health concerns for both animals and humans. Whole seaweed is likely to be more accepted by consumers than synthetic alternatives, as it poses no detectable bromoform levels in animal products, ensuring better animal health and product quality.

The practical application of this finding, however, presents challenges. Startups in the livestock methane reduction field are exploring various strategies, including vaccines and genetic modifications, to reduce methane emissions. For instance, Number8 Bio, initially focused on producing bromoform through microbial fermentation, has shifted its approach toward synthetic chemistry for cost-effective feed supplements.

Dr. Tom Williams, cofounder of Number8 Bio, stated, “The thing that will be most successful in this market has to be very low cost and very high efficacy,” indicating that synthetic chemicals may currently offer the best route.

In contrast, Dr. Colin South, CEO at ArkeaBio, sees vaccines as the “holy grail” for methane mitigation, enabling low-cost, scalable solutions. He pointed out that the logistics of producing seaweed on a massive scale pose significant challenges. “To get to 1.5 billion animals, the amount of antigen needed would all fit in a single 20-foot container, while establishing a supply chain for seaweed would require millions of tons.”

Despite these challenges, Dr. Steve Meller, CEO at CH4 Global, emphasized the study’s implications for their product, Methane Tamer, based on whole Asparagopsis. He asserted, “The results validate the performance advantage of whole natural Asparagopsis over synthetic compounds, highlighting the cost-effectiveness of our solution.”

This study underscores the potential of whole seaweed as a natural and effective solution for reducing livestock methane emissions, presenting an opportunity for sustainable agricultural practices.