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Review
. 2020 Dec 18;10(12):2432.
doi: 10.3390/ani10122432.

Seaweed and Seaweed Bioactives for Mitigation of Enteric Methane: Challenges and Opportunities

D Wade Abbott  1 , Inga Marie Aasen  2 , Karen A Beauchemin  1 , Fredrik Grondahl  3 , Robert Gruninger  1 , Maria Hayes  4 , Sharon Huws  5 , David A Kenny  6 , Sophie J Krizsan  7 , Stuart F Kirwan  6 , Vibeke Lind  8 , Ulrich Meyer  9 , Mohammad Ramin  7 , Katerina Theodoridou  5 , Dirk von Soosten  9 , Pamela J Walsh  5 , Sinéad Waters  6 , Xiaohui Xing  1
Affiliations
Review

Seaweed and Seaweed Bioactives for Mitigation of Enteric Methane: Challenges and Opportunities

D Wade Abbott et al. Animals (Basel). .

Abstract

Seaweeds contain a myriad of nutrients and bioactives including proteins, carbohydrates and to a lesser extent lipids as well as small molecules including peptides, saponins, alkaloids and pigments. The bioactive bromoform found in the red seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis has been identified as an agent that can reduce enteric CH4 production from livestock significantly. However, sustainable supply of this seaweed is a problem and there are some concerns over its sustainable production and potential negative environmental impacts on the ozone layer and the health impacts of bromoform. This review collates information on seaweeds and seaweed bioactives and the documented impact on CH4 emissions in vitro and in vivo as well as associated environmental, economic and health impacts.

Keywords: RUSITEC; alkaloids; animal studies; bacteriocins; bioactive components; bromoform; carbohydrates; lipids; methane emissions; peptides; phlorotannins; rumen; ruminants; saponins; seaweeds.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of methanogenesis pathways from carbon dioxide (hydrogenotrophic), acetate (acetoclastic), and mono, di-, tri- methylamine and methanol (methotrophic) pathways.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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