{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,30]],"date-time":"2026-04-30T14:22:39Z","timestamp":1777558959559,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":33,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"6","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,20]],"date-time":"2024-03-20T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1710892800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Institute of Investigation Agrarian and Environmental (IITAA)","award":["UIDB\/00153\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/00153\/2020"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Animals"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The utilisation of seaweeds as feed supplements has been investigated for their potential to mitigate enteric methane emissions from ruminants. Enteric methane emissions are the primary source of direct greenhouse gas emissions in livestock and significantly contribute to anthropogenic methane emissions worldwide. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the nutritional role and the in vitro effect on cumulative gas and methane production of Asparagopsis taxiformis (native species) and Asparagopsis armata (invasive species), two species of red algae from the Azorean Sea, as well as the ability to reduce biogas production when incubated with single pasture (Lolium perenne and Trifollium repens) as substrate. Four levels of concentrations marine algae were used (1.25%, 2.25%, 5%, and 10% DM) and added to the substrate to evaluate ruminal fermentation using the in vitro gas production technique. The total amount of gas and methane produced by the treatment incubation was recorded during 72 h of incubation. The results indicate that both algae species under investigation contain relatively high levels of protein (22.69% and 24.23%, respectively, for Asparagopsis taxiformis and Asparagopsis armata) and significant amounts of minerals, namely magnesium (1.15% DM), sodium (8.6% DM), and iron (2851 ppm). Concerning in vitro ruminal fermentation, it was observed that A. taxiformis can reduce enteric methane production by approximately 86%, during the first 24 h when 5% is added. In the same period and at the same concentration, A. armata reduced methane production by 34%. Thus, it can be concluded that Asparagopsis species from the Azorean Sea have high potential as a protein and mineral supplement, in addition to enabling a reduction in methane production from rumen fermentation.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ani14060967","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,20]],"date-time":"2024-03-20T13:09:36Z","timestamp":1710940176000},"page":"967","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":10,"title":["Evaluation of Two Species of Macroalgae from Azores Sea as Potential Reducers of Ruminal Methane Production: In Vitro Ruminal Assay"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9935-851X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Helder P. B.","family":"Nunes","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology (IITAA), Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, 9700-042 Angra do Hero\u00edsmo, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6655-8109","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Cristiana S. A. M.","family":"Maduro Dias","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology (IITAA), Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, 9700-042 Angra do Hero\u00edsmo, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6967-7170","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Nuno V.","family":"\u00c1lvaro","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Group of Climate, Meteorology and Global Change, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology (IITAA), Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capit\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o d\u2019\u00c1vila, 9700-042 Angra do Hero\u00edsmo, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8481-791X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alfredo E. S.","family":"Borba","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology (IITAA), Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, 9700-042 Angra do Hero\u00edsmo, Portugal"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,20]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nunes, H.P., Borba, A.E., and Silva, J.F. (2022). Impacts of trace element supplementation on productive\/reproductive postpartum performances of grazing dairy heifers from volcanic soils. J. Anim. Behav. Biometeorol., 10.","DOI":"10.31893\/jabb.22036"},{"key":"ref_2","unstructured":"Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Altera\u00e7\u00f5es Clim\u00e1ticas (2021). IRERPA\u2014Invent\u00e1rio Regional de Emiss\u00f5es por Fontes e Remo\u00e7\u00f5es por Sumidouros de Poluentes Atmosf\u00e9ricos."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Roque, B., Brooke, C., Ladau, J., Polley, T., Marsh, L., Najafi, N., Pandey, P., Singh, L., Kinley, R., and Salwen, J.K. (2019). Effect of the macroalgae Asparagopsis taxiformis on methane production and the rumen microbiome assemblage. Anim. Microbiome, 1.","DOI":"10.1186\/s42523-019-0004-4"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"561","DOI":"10.3389\/fmars.2020.00561","article-title":"Methane reduction potential of two Pacific coast macroalgae during in vitro ruminant fermentation","volume":"7","author":"Brooke","year":"2020","journal-title":"Front. Mar. Sci."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"274","DOI":"10.1080\/26388081.2022.2059700","article-title":"New temperate seaweed targets for mitigation of ruminant methane emissions: An in vitro assessment","volume":"3","author":"Mihaila","year":"2022","journal-title":"Appl. Phycol."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Roque, B.M., Venegas, M., Kinley, R.D., de Nys, R., Duarte, T.L., Yang, X., and Kebreab, E. (2021). Red seaweed (Asparagopsis taxiformis) supplementation reduces enteric methane by over 80 percent in beef steers. PLoS ONE, 16.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0247820"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"21","DOI":"10.1016\/S0377-8401(03)00053-1","article-title":"A qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the seaweed diet of North Ronaldsay sheep","volume":"105","author":"Hansen","year":"2003","journal-title":"Anim. Feed. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_8","first-page":"1271","article-title":"The marine algae Sargassum spp. (Sargassaceae) as feed for sheep in tropical and subtropical regions","volume":"57","author":"Carrillo","year":"2009","journal-title":"Rev. Biol. Trop."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3117","DOI":"10.1007\/s10811-016-0830-7","article-title":"Identification of bioactives from the red seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis that promote antimethanogenic activity in vitro","volume":"28","author":"Machado","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Appl. Phycol."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Pinto, D.C.G.A., Lesenfants, M.L., Rosa, G.P., Barreto, M.C., Silva, A.M.S., and Seca, A.M.L. (2022). GC- and UHPLC-MS Profiles as a Tool to Valorize the Red Alga Asparagopsis armata. Appl. Sci., 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/app12020892"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tvjl.2010.02.019","article-title":"Strategies to reduce methane emissions from farmed ruminants grazing on pasture","volume":"188","author":"Buddle","year":"2011","journal-title":"Vet. J."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"582","DOI":"10.3391\/ai.2019.14.4.02","article-title":"Patterns of distribution of the invasive alga Asparagopsis armata Harvey: A multi-scaled approach","volume":"14","author":"Martins","year":"2019","journal-title":"Aquat. Invasions"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"248","DOI":"10.1515\/BOT.2005.030","article-title":"The marine algal (seaweed) flora of the Azores: Additions and amendments","volume":"48","author":"Tittley","year":"2005","journal-title":"Bot. Mar."},{"key":"ref_14","first-page":"1","article-title":"Seaweeds of the western coast of tropical Africa and adjacent islands: A critical assessment. IV. Rhodophyta (Florideae). 1. Genera A\u2013F","volume":"15","author":"Price","year":"1986","journal-title":"Bull. Br. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Bot."},{"key":"ref_15","first-page":"5","article-title":"The marine algae of the Archipelago of Madeira","volume":"28","author":"Levring","year":"1974","journal-title":"Bol. Mus. Munic. Funchal (Hist\u00f3ria Nat.)"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"120836","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclepro.2020.120836","article-title":"Mitigating the carbon footprint and improving productivity of ruminant livestock agriculture using a red seaweed","volume":"59","author":"Kinley","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Huaiquip\u00e1n, R., Qui\u00f1ones, J., D\u00edaz, R., Vel\u00e1squez, C., Sep\u00falveda, G., Vel\u00e1zquez, L., Paz, E.A., Tapia, D., Cancino, D., and Sep\u00falveda, N. (2023). Review: Effect of Experimental Diets on the Microbiome of Productive Animals. Microorganisms, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/microorganisms11092219"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nunes, H.P.B., Teixeira, S., Maduro Dias, C.S.A.M., and Borba, A.E.S. (2022). Alternative Forages as Roughage for Ruminant: Nutritional Characteristics and Digestibility of Six Exotic Plants in Azores Archipelago. Animals, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani12243587"},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"AOAC (2016). AOAC Official Methods of Analysis, Association of Official Agricultural Chemists. [20th ed.]."},{"key":"ref_20","unstructured":"Goering, H.K., and Van Soest, P.J. (1970). Forage Fiber Analyses, n\u00ba379, Agricultural Handbook."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"104","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2494.1963.tb00335.x","article-title":"A two-stage technique for the in vitro digestion of forage crops","volume":"18","author":"Tilley","year":"1963","journal-title":"J. Br. Grassl. Soc."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"140","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2494.1966.tb00462.x","article-title":"The routine determination of in vitro digestibility of organic matter in forages. An investigation of the problems associated with continuous large-scale operation","volume":"21","author":"Alexander","year":"1966","journal-title":"J. Br. Grassl. Soc."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"265","DOI":"10.1051\/animres:2001113","article-title":"Comparison of three sources of inocula for predicting apparent digestibility of ruminant feedstuffs","volume":"50","author":"Borba","year":"2001","journal-title":"Anim. Res."},{"key":"ref_24","first-page":"9","article-title":"Estimation of the energetic feed value obtained from chemical analysis and in vitro gas production using rumen fluid","volume":"28","author":"Menke","year":"1988","journal-title":"Anim. Res. Dev."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e12786","DOI":"10.1016\/j.heliyon.2022.e12786","article-title":"Bioprospecting essential oils of exotic species as potential mitigations of ruminant enteric methanogenesis","volume":"9","author":"Nunes","year":"2023","journal-title":"Heliyon"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Pacheco, D., Souza Ara\u00fajo, G., Cotas, J., Gaspar, R., Neto, J., and Pereira, L. (2020). Invasive Seaweeds in the Iberian Peninsula: A Contribution for Food Supply. Mar. Drugs, 18.","DOI":"10.3390\/md18110560"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2200145","DOI":"10.1002\/gch2.202200145","article-title":"Potential of Seaweeds to Mitigate Production of Greenhouse Gases during Production of Ruminant Proteins","volume":"7","author":"Hayes","year":"2023","journal-title":"Glob. Chall."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1155361","DOI":"10.3389\/fanim.2023.1155361","article-title":"MiniReview: The importance of an integrated approach to assess trace mineral feeding practices in dairy cows","volume":"4","author":"Duplessis","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front. Anim. Sci."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3883","DOI":"10.1007\/s10653-021-00874-6","article-title":"Deficiency of essential elements in volcanic soils: Potential harmful health effects on grazing cattle","volume":"43","author":"Linhares","year":"2021","journal-title":"Environ. Geochem. Health"},{"key":"ref_30","unstructured":"National Research Council (U.S.) (2001). Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle, Subcommittee on Dairy Cattle Nutrition, National Academies Press."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Santander, D., Clariget, J., Banchero, G., Alecrim, F., Simon Zinno, C., Mariotta, J., Gere, J., and Ciganda, V.S. (2023). Beef Steers and Enteric Methane: Reducing Emissions by Managing Forage Diet Fiber Content. Animals, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani13071177"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lean, I.J., Golder, H.M., Grant, T.M.D., and Moate, P.J. (2021). A meta-analysis of effects of dietary seaweed on beef and dairy cattle performance and methane yield. PLoS ONE, 16.","DOI":"10.1101\/2021.03.11.434923"},{"key":"ref_33","unstructured":"SREA (2023, October 23). Regional Statistics on Milk Production, Dairy Production, and Commercialization, Available online: https:\/\/srea.azores.gov.pt\/."}],"container-title":["Animals"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/14\/6\/967\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T14:16:54Z","timestamp":1760105814000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/14\/6\/967"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,20]]},"references-count":33,"journal-issue":{"issue":"6","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,3]]}},"alternative-id":["ani14060967"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ani14060967","relation":{},"ISSN":["2076-2615"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2076-2615","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,20]]}}}