Effect of Tropical Algae as Additives on Rumen in Vitro Gas Production and Fermentation Characteristics

B Dubois; N W Tomkins; R D Kinley; M Bai; S Seymour; Nicholas A Paul; R de Nys

doi:10.4236/ajps.2013.412A2005

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Effect of Tropical Algae as Additives on Rumen in Vitro Gas Production and Fermentation Characteristics

Journal article

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Effect of Tropical Algae as Additives on Rumen in Vitro Gas Production and Fermentation Characteristics

B Dubois, N W Tomkins, R D Kinley, M Bai, S Seymour, Nicholas A Paul and R de Nys

American Journal of Plant Sciences, Vol.4(12B), pp.34-43

2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2013.412A2005

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Abstract

Fisheries Sciences

Plant Biology

algae

enteric gas

macroalgae

methane

rumen

seaweed

Algae have become an area of intensive research in many fields of study. Areas of application are becoming increasingly diverse with the advent of technologies particularly in the mass production of algae biomass. Algae contain complex bioactive compounds and these are gaining importance in emerging technologies with nutritional and environmental applications. In this study, a preliminary investigation evaluated 15 species of algae from the major categories of marine and fresh water algae for their potential as inclusions in ruminant diets for management of greenhouse gas emissions. It was hypothesized that algae would positively affect rumen fermentation and gas production while reducing methane production. The hypothesis was tested using an Ankom automated gas monitoring system and rumen fluid from Bos indicus steers fed tropical forage diets. The results were variable between algae species with some showing a significant reduction in total gas and methane production, with others increasing gas and fermentation. The red and brown algae stand out as having potential for greenhouse gas mitigation with the brown alga Cystoseira having the most prominent effect. The effects observed on fermentation may be manipulated through dosage management and beneficial effects could be potentially maximized by preparing combinations of algal supplements. It has been demonstrated in this study that algae have the potential to assist in rumen fermentation management for improved gas production, and greenhouse gas abatement.

Details

Title: Effect of Tropical Algae as Additives on Rumen in Vitro Gas Production and Fermentation Characteristics
Authors: B Dubois (Author) - AgroParisTech, France
N W Tomkins (Author) - CSIRO, Livestock Industries
R D Kinley (Author) - CSIRO, Livestock Industries
M Bai (Author) - CSIRO, Livestock Industries
S Seymour (Author) - James Cook University
Nicholas A Paul (Author) - James Cook University
R de Nys (Author) - James Cook University
Publication details: American Journal of Plant Sciences, Vol.4(12B), pp.34-43
Publisher: Scientific Research Publishing
Date published: 2013
DOI: 10.4236/ajps.2013.412A2005
ISSN: 2158-2742
Copyright note: Copyright © 2013 Baptiste Dubois et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451284202621
Output Type: Journal article

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