Comparative analysis of macroalgae supplementation on the rumen microbial community: Asparagopsis taxiformis inhibits major ruminal methanogenic, fibrolytic, and volatile fatty acid-producing microbes in vitro

Abstract

Seaweeds have received a great deal of attention recently for their potential as methane-suppressing feed additives in ruminants. To date, <i>Asparagopsis taxiformis</i> has proven a potent enteric methane inhibitor, but it is a priority to identify local seaweed varieties that hold similar properties. It is essential that any methane inhibitor does not compromise the function of the rumen microbiome. In this study, we conducted an <i>in vitro</i> experiment using the RUSITEC system to evaluate the impact of three red seaweeds, <i>A. taxiformis, Palmaria mollis,</i> and <i>Mazzaella japonica</i>, on rumen prokaryotic communities. 16S rRNA sequencing showed that <i>A. taxiformis</i> had a profound effect on the microbiome, particularly on methanogens. Weighted Unifrac distances showed significant separation of <i>A. taxiformis</i> samples from the control and other seaweeds (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Neither <i>P. mollis</i> nor <i>M. japonica</i> had a substantial effect on the microbiome (<i>p</i> > 0.05). <i>A. taxiformis</i> reduced the abundance of all major archaeal species (<i>p</i> < 0.05), leading to an almost total disappearance of the methanogens. Prominent fiber-degrading and volatile fatty acid (VFA)-producing bacteria including <i>Fibrobacter</i> and <i>Ruminococcus</i> were also inhibited by <i>A. taxiformis</i> (<i>p</i> < 0.05), as were other genera involved in propionate production. The relative abundance of several other bacteria including <i>Prevotella</i>, <i>Bifidobacterium, Succinivibrio, Ruminobacter</i>, and unclassified <i>Lachnospiraceae</i> were increased by <i>A. taxiformis</i> suggesting that the rumen microbiome adapted to an initial perturbation. Our study provides baseline knowledge of microbial dynamics in response to seaweed feeding over an extended period and suggests that feeding <i>A. taxiformis</i> to cattle to reduce methane may directly, or indirectly, inhibit important fiber-degrading and VFA-producing bacteria.