Investigating the Potential Mechanism of Methane Mitigation in Seaweed Gracilaria lemaneiformis via 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and LC/MS-Based Metabolomics

Yi Sun, Shuai Li, Tongjun Guo, Xiong Tong, Zhifei Zhang, Yufeng Yang, Qing Wang (), Dagang Li and Li Min ()
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Yi Sun: Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South China, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
Shuai Li: Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South China, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
Tongjun Guo: Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Feed Biotechnology, Feed Research Institute, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi 830000, China
Xiong Tong: Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South China, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
Zhifei Zhang: Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South China, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
Yufeng Yang: Department of Ecology, Jinan University/Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangzhou 510632, China
Qing Wang: Department of Ecology, Jinan University/Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Guangzhou 510632, China
Dagang Li: Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South China, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
Li Min: Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South China, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 16, 1-19

Abstract: Methane (CH 4 ), originating from ruminants, is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture industry. This study aimed to determine the potential of red seaweed Gracilaria lemaneiformis ( G. lemaneiformis ) as an anti-methanogenic feed additive for cattle. Three supplementation levels of seaweed (2%, 5%, and 10% of dry matter) were evaluated for their effects on gas production and rumen fermentation characteristics during 48 h in vitro fermentation. The results revealed a significant decrease in total gas production (TGP), CO 2 , CH 4 , ammonia nitrogen (NH 3 -N), and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations, with no differences in pH or dry matter disappearance (DMD). Notably, compared with the control group without seaweed, supplementation with 2% G. lemaneiformis effectively reduces CH 4 emissions by 27.5% ( p < 0.05). Supplementation with 2% G. lemaneiformis decreased the abundance of methanogens g_norank_f_Methanomethylophilaceae , responsible for CH 4 generation, and increased the populations of bacteria ( Kandleria and Succinivibrio ) that compete with methanogens for substrates. Furthermore, upregulating the levels of 13(S)-HOTrE and 9(S)-HOTrE (polyunsaturated fatty acids) could inhibit methanogenic activity. Additionally, lower VFA concentrations will provide less raw materials for methane synthesis, thus further inhibiting methanogenesis. In summary, G. lemaneiformis , as a red seaweed with important economic value, can not only be applied to enhance marine carbon sinks but can also serve as a promising candidate for mitigating biomethane emissions in cattle.

Keywords: Gracilaria lemaneiformis; methane; rumen fermentation; microbial sequencing; metabolomics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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