Using oil immersion to deliver a naturally-derived, stable bromoform product from the red seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis

Asparagopsis taxiformis (Asparagopsis) inhibits the production of enteric methane in ruminants. A next critical step in the implementation of this technology is the delivery of a naturally-derived product that maximises the concentration and longer-term retention of bromoform. This study (1) quantified the effects of solvent (water or oil), initial processing (intact or homogenised), and temperature (4 or 25 degrees C) on the stabilisation of bromoform over time, and (2) assessed the effects of increasing the biomass loading (g biomass mL(-1) solvent) of Asparagopsis on the concentration of bromoform in a formulation. The most effective method was to homogenise freshly-collected Asparagopsis in oil, which resulted in the highest concentration of bromoform (19.2 +/- 2.1 mg g(-1) dw algae) in the homogeneous product in the shortest time (one day). In addition, the final product had a shelf life of at least 12 weeks, even when stored at room temperature (25 degrees C). Notably, there was an increase in the concentration of bromoform per mL of oil between each increment of biomass loading tested, with the highest concentration of bromoform of 4.04 +/- 0.51 mg mAsparagopsis taxiformis (Asparagopsis) inhibits the production of enteric methane in ruminants. A next critical step in the implementation of this technology is the delivery of a naturally-derived product that maximises the concentration and longer-term retention of bromoform. This study (1) quantified the effects of solvent (water or oil), initial processing (intact or homogenised), and temperature (4 or 25 degrees C) on the stabilisation of bromoform over time, and (2) assessed the effects of increasing the biomass loading (g biomass mL(-1) solvent) of Asparagopsis on the concentration of bromoform in a formulation. The most effective method was to homogenise freshly-collected Asparagopsis in oil, which resulted in the highest concentration of bromoform (19.2 +/- 2.1 mg g(-1) dw algae) in the homogeneous product in the shortest time (one day). In addition, the final product had a shelf life of at least 12 weeks, even when stored at room temperature (25 degrees C). Notably, there was an increase in the concentration of bromoform per mL of oil between each increment of biomass loading tested, with the highest concentration of bromoform of 4.04 +/- 0.51 mg mL(-1) in the maximum ratio of biomass to oil of 120 g 100 mL(-1). The method described here provides a viable processing alternative to freeze-drying, resulting in the stabilisation of the bromoform from Asparagopsis, which will be critical to the success of using Asparagopsis on a larger scale to mitigate the production of methane in ruminants. in the maximum ratio of biomass to oil of 120 g 100 mL(-1). The method described here provides a viable processing alternative to freeze-drying, resulting in the stabilisation of the bromoform from Asparagopsis, which will be critical to the success of using Asparagopsis on a larger scale to mitigate the production of methane in ruminants.