Effects of adding locally farmed Taiwanese seaweed on methane emission and rumen fermentation characteristics in cattle during in vitro incubation

報告時間：2025-4-25
報告地點：Room 407
指導老師：Dr. Hsin-I Chiang
學生：Min-Yi Hsieh
摘要

The livestock industry contributes about 15–19% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with ruminants like cattle being key methane emitters due to methanogenic archaea in the rumen. In Taiwan, methane from enteric fermentation accounted for 18% of agricultural emissions in 2021. Although Asparagopsis taxiformis has shown up to 99% methane reduction in studies, its cultivation is difficult and safety concerns remain due to its bromoform content. Taiwan’s tropical-subtropical climate and surrounding seas offer rich native seaweed resources, creating an opportunity to develop local, eco-friendly feed additives for methane reduction. This study evaluated five locally cultivated seaweeds—S (Sarcodia), G (Gracilaria), K (Kappaphycus), ER, and EG (Eucheuma spp.)—using an in vitro rumen incubation system to assess the effects of these seaweed on methane production and metabolic pathways in lactating cow diets. Each seaweed powder was mixed with a substrate powder (a 1:1 mixture of bermuda grass and concentrate, based on organic matter) at a 5:1 ratio (approximately 17%). The substrate and seaweed mixtures were incubated with a culture medium composed of filtered rumen fluid and artificial saliva (1:4 ratio). After 24 hour incubation at 39°C, all seaweed types significantly reduced methane production: 20.5% (S), 28.3% (G), 28.7% (K), 26.9% (ER), and 30.1% (EG). However, seaweed addition reduced acetate and propionate production, indicating suppressed rumen microbial fermentation and lowered energy yield. Ammonia nitrogen levels significantly decreased in the G, ER, and EG groups, possibly due to greater microbial ammonia utilization or the presence of polyphenols or tannins inhibiting protein breakdown. Overall, Taiwanese seaweeds showed good potential for methane reduction in vitro, though their impact on fermentation and nitrogen metabolism highlights the need to balance emission reduction with nutrient efficiency for sustainable feeding strategies
 
Keywords: ruminants, seaweed, methane, in vitro incubation
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