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COW GAS IS DAMAGING THE PLANET! BUT A CURE WAS FOUND
- While disasters caused by climate change are not interrupted, scientists are doing their best to stop the bad going. Including feeding the cows seaweed. “What has that got to do?” as if we can hear what you’re saying.
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- Who would have guessed that the gases released by cows were one of the biggest problems in the world. Yeah, you didn’t hear wrong! Cows have a significant share in global warming with the gas they extract.
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- Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who recently came up with the book “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster,” is also one of those who often draws attention to this issue. “I never thought I’d talk about the bowel movements of cows one day,” Gates said in an interview on CNN. Cows cause bacteria to accumulate methane gas, and they have unusual stomachs,” he said.
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- Moreover, Gates argues that one of the things that needs to be done in the name of solving the problem is to make an effort to replace animal feed.
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COWS PRODUCE METHANE GAS
First, let’s clarify a topic that many of us don’t know much about cows.
- Cows, which have four compartments and an advanced stomach structure, produce methane through microbes found in their stomachs when digesting their fibrous nutrients through a process similar to fermentation. Thanks to enzymes secreted by microorganisms in the stomachs of cows, nutrients taken with feed are fermented and turned into animal foods such as meat and milk.
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- More specifically, the sources of carbohydrates consumed by cows are fermented in their stomachs, releasing essential fatty acids, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Essential fatty acids are used to meet the energy needs of animals, while hydrogen and carbon dioxide are involved in the formation of methane gas by methanogenic microorganisms.
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THE CURE IS IN SEAWEED
- Methane is shorter-lived in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide but more than 30 times more effective at trapping heat. Which makes it a huge greenhouse gas. Scientists took action to produce less of this methane gas and found that cows produce less of this gas when fed seaweed.
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- In an extensive study, a small amount of seaweed was put into the feed of cattle for five months. Detailed investigations revealed that bovine animals released 82 percent less methane gas after eating algae.
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- “Cattle play a big role in greenhouse gas emissions, so this could be a turning point,” one of the University of California experts who led the study, said in a statement about the research.
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- We were very surprised to learn that cows affect the atmosphere so much, associate professor of the Department of Animal Nutrition and nutritional diseases of Muğla University. Dr. We asked about the inside, the work done and its effects.
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- “The increase in demand for total animal food consumption due to the growth of the world’s population has led to the growing importance of ruminant (animals such as cows, sheep, goats) breeding. But these animals are held responsible for too much of the methane gas released into the atmosphere at a global level. Because methane gas occurs as a result of fermentation that occurs in the digestive tract of ruminants and is released into nature, ” said for his readers.
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WHAT IS THE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE OF METHANE GAS?
- The annual share of methane gas produced by ruminants in global warming is 25 times greater than carbon dioxide. This gas causes global warming by creating a greenhouse gas effect, damaging the ozone layer.
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- In fact, if necessary measures are not taken to reduce the amount of methane gas, it is estimated that in the coming years, this gas will be responsible for more than 20 percent of the greenhouse gas effect of global warming.
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HOW DO YOU INTERPRET THE DECLINE IN METHANE GAS PRODUCTION?
- In recent years, scientists have focused on strategies to reduce the release of methane gas, one of the most important greenhouse gases produced during animal production. In many studies, the bioactive effect of some plants on methanogenesis has been studied and positive results have been obtained.
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- Important results were also obtained from studies conducted to reduce methane release in ruminants by using some alternative natural herbal feed and feed additives. In these studies, it was stated that due to the properties of some substances in the composition of these plants, the number of methanogen bacteria was damaged and decreased, and thus the production of methane and carbon dioxide was reduced by the formation of essential fatty acids in the stomach.
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- Because the effects of plants on animals vary depending on factors such as the type of plant, direction/shape and amount of Use, and the properties of other substances used with them. In recent days, it has been reported that red seaweed, a type of seaweed, also reduces the release of methane gas by fermenting nutrients in feed thanks to enzymes secreted by microorganisms in the stomach of cattle due to its content.
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DOES EATING SEAWEED DO ANY HARM TO THESE ANIMALS?
- Eating seaweed does not harm animals, but rather has a positive effect on many factors, as research supports. Let me tell you; today, more healthy to have animals in animal husbandry and animal products in order to improve the quantity and quality of feed or feed additives as alternative researchers concentrated its efforts on products,. In particular, algae from these products, in addition to being an important source of protein; they are very rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.
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- In addition, this plant contains more than 2 thousand enzymes, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid and growth factors and nucleic acids. When evaluated in these aspects, mosses become available for feeding many animals.
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- In one of these studies, it was noted that algae used to feed cows during lactation lengthens lactation time, increases milk yield and quality, as well as the level of omega-3 fatty acids in milk; in calves, it also improves the immune system and carcass properties.
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- Another study concluded that red seaweed had a positive effect on meat quality in cattle. Recently, Asparagopsis taxiformis, a red seaweed, was found to reduce methane gas release by more than 80% in fattening cattle, affect dry matter consumption, and increase feed utilization. In this context, studies on the use of algae in ruminants need to be increased.
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WHAT ARE BENEFITS TO PRODUCE LESS METHANE GAS?
- Associate Professor, Department of Animal Nutrition and nutritional diseases. Dr. informs us. A significant part (2-12 percent) of the total energy taken by Feed is lost by the release of methane gas into nature as a result of fermentation in the digestive tract of ruminants. For example, the amount of methane formed in the stomach of an adult cattle is about 300 liters per day, and its energy value reaches about 4000 calories. This, in turn, makes up a third of the energy needs of the animal, which weighs 550 pounds alive.
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- Because methane is also a gas that creates a greenhouse effect, it causes global warming, disrupting the ecological balance. In this context, reducing the release of methane from the stomach will help to prevent some of these two negative effects. In this way, it will not only prevent global warming, but also allow animals to make better use of feed, as it prevents the energy deficit lost to methane.
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WHAT HUMAN BEHAVIOR IS BEHIND THE FACT THAT COWS HAVE SUCH AN IMPACT?
- After revealing the economic and ecological damage caused by methane gas released by burping in ruminates, some strategies need to be developed to reduce the production of methane gas generated in the stomach. Although there are many positive effective studies conducted in this direction, some farms do not feed animals in such a way as to reduce the formation of methane gas.
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President of Organ Transplant Center at MedicalPark Hospital Antalya
Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.
Physician's Resume:
Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.
Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.
In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.
Awards:
Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.
Certificates:
Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .
Professional Members:
American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.
Disclaimer:
Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.
Physician's Resume:
Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.
Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.
In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.
Awards:
Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.
Certificates:
Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .
Professional Members:
American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.
Disclaimer:
Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
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