Netherlands: Seaweed as a methane inhibitor is not free of risks

Published 2021년 3월 12일

Tridge summary

Researchers at Wageningen Livestock Research have found that feeding cows the seaweed species Asparagopsis taxiformis can reduce methane emission but may cause health concerns due to the toxic substance bromoform. The study revealed that this substance can end up in milk and urine, with two out of 12 cows showing rumen wall abnormalities and signs of inflammation, similar to those observed in sheep. Although the milk with bromoform has been destroyed and there is currently no contaminated milk in supermarkets, the researchers emphasize the need for further research to exclude any negative effects on cows and consumers. They also note that other seaweed species with lower bromoform levels or different methane-lowering components could be potential alternatives. This research is funded by ProSeaweed, BluGrass, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.

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Original content

“Bromoform inhibits the formation of methane in the cow's rumen. However, it is also toxic. ”, Says Wouter Muizelaar, researcher at Wageningen Livestock Research. Previous research linked seaweed A. taxiformis to rumen wall damage in sheep. “That is why we wanted to know what effect A. taxiformis has on cows. Does bromoform end up in milk, urine, manure or animal tissue? Where is it? This research shows that bromoform from A. taxiformis can end up in milk and urine. Reason to reconsider whether it is desirable to feed this seaweed species to cows. ”Long-term effect unknown The rumen wall of 2 of the 12 cows was examined, and this revealed abnormalities and signs of inflammation, just as in sheep. This worries Muizelaar: “Bromoform in its pure form is harmful to health. Previous research has already shown this. It is not without reason that maximums have been set for the amount of bromoform that drinking water may contain. There are no maximum limits for foodstuffs. The fact that ...

Source: Wageningen University