A Sustainable Approach to Managing Invasive Macroalgae: Assessment of the Nutritional Profile and the Potential for Enteric Methane Mitigation of <i>Rugulopteryx okamurae</i>
The expansion of the invasive Asian macroalgae <i>Rugulopteryx okamurae</i> along the coasts of the Azores represents a significant challenge for local marine biodiversity. A promising approach to managing the biomass produced by this alien alga is to valorize it in the context of the bl...
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MDPI AG
2024-09-01
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| author | Helder P. B. Nunes Cristiana Maduro-Dias Joana Carvalho Alfredo Borba |
| author_facet | Helder P. B. Nunes Cristiana Maduro-Dias Joana Carvalho Alfredo Borba |
| author_sort | Helder P. B. Nunes |
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| description | The expansion of the invasive Asian macroalgae <i>Rugulopteryx okamurae</i> along the coasts of the Azores represents a significant challenge for local marine biodiversity. A promising approach to managing the biomass produced by this alien alga is to valorize it in the context of the blue economy. This study characterizes and evaluates the potential of <i>R. okamurae</i> biomass for incorporation into cattle feed, with a focus on mitigating enteric methane production. The nutritional value of <i>R. okamurae</i>, its digestibility, and its potential as a mitigating agent for enteric methane production were analyzed in vitro. The results indicate that the inclusion of 5% <i>R. okamurae</i> in the diet significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) reduced accumulated methane production by 98% after 24 h of incubation. The addition of 1% algae over the same period resulted in a 38% reduction in methane production. However, a significant decrease (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in gas production of 57.02% and 73.5% was also observed in relation to control, with the inclusion of 1% and 5%, respectively, during 96 h. Nutritionally, <i>R. okamurae</i> was found to have a crude protein content of 18.68% and fiber (NDF) of 55.71% of DM. It is also worth highlighting the high content of ash (31.86%) that was identified in these brown macroalgae. In conclusion, the fresh biomass of <i>R. okamurae</i> could serve as a functional ingredient in cattle feed to mitigate enteric methane production, provided it is used in low percentages. However, it is important to emphasize that high concentrations in the first 12 h did not produce methane, which is also not recommended for enteric fermentation. However, before including it in animal feed, in vivo tests are needed to assess its toxicity. |
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| issn | 2673-1924 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-09-01 |
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| series | Oceans |
| spelling | doaj-art-9a60fd4325f04a54a5e9a5343c0d424e2025-08-20T01:55:45ZengMDPI AGOceans2673-19242024-09-015366267110.3390/oceans5030038A Sustainable Approach to Managing Invasive Macroalgae: Assessment of the Nutritional Profile and the Potential for Enteric Methane Mitigation of <i>Rugulopteryx okamurae</i>Helder P. B. Nunes0Cristiana Maduro-Dias1Joana Carvalho2Alfredo Borba3Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology, Faculty of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, PortugalInstitute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology, Faculty of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, PortugalInstitute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology, Faculty of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, PortugalInstitute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology, Faculty of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, PortugalThe expansion of the invasive Asian macroalgae <i>Rugulopteryx okamurae</i> along the coasts of the Azores represents a significant challenge for local marine biodiversity. A promising approach to managing the biomass produced by this alien alga is to valorize it in the context of the blue economy. This study characterizes and evaluates the potential of <i>R. okamurae</i> biomass for incorporation into cattle feed, with a focus on mitigating enteric methane production. The nutritional value of <i>R. okamurae</i>, its digestibility, and its potential as a mitigating agent for enteric methane production were analyzed in vitro. The results indicate that the inclusion of 5% <i>R. okamurae</i> in the diet significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) reduced accumulated methane production by 98% after 24 h of incubation. The addition of 1% algae over the same period resulted in a 38% reduction in methane production. However, a significant decrease (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in gas production of 57.02% and 73.5% was also observed in relation to control, with the inclusion of 1% and 5%, respectively, during 96 h. Nutritionally, <i>R. okamurae</i> was found to have a crude protein content of 18.68% and fiber (NDF) of 55.71% of DM. It is also worth highlighting the high content of ash (31.86%) that was identified in these brown macroalgae. In conclusion, the fresh biomass of <i>R. okamurae</i> could serve as a functional ingredient in cattle feed to mitigate enteric methane production, provided it is used in low percentages. However, it is important to emphasize that high concentrations in the first 12 h did not produce methane, which is also not recommended for enteric fermentation. However, before including it in animal feed, in vivo tests are needed to assess its toxicity.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-1924/5/3/38enteric fermentationmethane reductionruminantsanimal supplementblue economyAzorean Sea |
| spellingShingle | Helder P. B. Nunes Cristiana Maduro-Dias Joana Carvalho Alfredo Borba A Sustainable Approach to Managing Invasive Macroalgae: Assessment of the Nutritional Profile and the Potential for Enteric Methane Mitigation of <i>Rugulopteryx okamurae</i> Oceans enteric fermentation methane reduction ruminants animal supplement blue economy Azorean Sea |
| title | A Sustainable Approach to Managing Invasive Macroalgae: Assessment of the Nutritional Profile and the Potential for Enteric Methane Mitigation of <i>Rugulopteryx okamurae</i> |
| title_full | A Sustainable Approach to Managing Invasive Macroalgae: Assessment of the Nutritional Profile and the Potential for Enteric Methane Mitigation of <i>Rugulopteryx okamurae</i> |
| title_fullStr | A Sustainable Approach to Managing Invasive Macroalgae: Assessment of the Nutritional Profile and the Potential for Enteric Methane Mitigation of <i>Rugulopteryx okamurae</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Sustainable Approach to Managing Invasive Macroalgae: Assessment of the Nutritional Profile and the Potential for Enteric Methane Mitigation of <i>Rugulopteryx okamurae</i> |
| title_short | A Sustainable Approach to Managing Invasive Macroalgae: Assessment of the Nutritional Profile and the Potential for Enteric Methane Mitigation of <i>Rugulopteryx okamurae</i> |
| title_sort | sustainable approach to managing invasive macroalgae assessment of the nutritional profile and the potential for enteric methane mitigation of i rugulopteryx okamurae i |
| topic | enteric fermentation methane reduction ruminants animal supplement blue economy Azorean Sea |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-1924/5/3/38 |
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