This study aimed to investigate the effects of two brown Icelandic seaweed samples (Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus) on in vitro methane production, nutrient degradation, and microbiota composition. A total mixed ration (TMR) was incubated alone as control or together with each seaweed at two inclusion levels (2.5 and 5.0% on a dry matter basis) in a long-term rumen simulation technique (Rusitec) experiment. The incubation period lasted 14 days, with 7 days of adaptation and sampling. The methane concentration of total gas produced was decreased at the 5% inclusion level of A. nodosum and F. vesiculosus by 8.9 and 3.6%, respectively (P < 0.001). The total gas production was reduced by all seaweeds, with a greater reduction for the 5% seaweed inclusion level (P < 0.001). Feed nutrient degradation and the production of volatile fatty acids and ammonia in the effluent were also reduced, mostly with a bigger effect for the 5% inclusion level of both seaweeds, indicating a reduced overall fermentation (all P ≤ 0.001). Microbiota composition was analyzed by sequencing 16S rRNA amplicons from the rumen content of the donor cows, fermenter liquid and effluent at days 7 and 13, and feed residues at day 13. Relative abundances of the most abundant methanogens varied between the rumen fluid used for the start of incubation and the samples taken at day 7, as well as between days 7 and 13 in both fermenter liquid and effluent (P < 0.05). According to the differential abundance analysis with q2-ALEx2, in effluent and fermenter liquid samples, archaeal and bacterial amplicon sequence variants were separated into two groups (P < 0.05). One was more abundant in samples taken from the treatment without seaweed supplementation, while the other one prevailed in treatments supplemented with seaweed. This group also showed a dose-dependent response to seaweed inclusion, with a greater number of differentially abundant members between a 5% inclusion level and unsupplemented samples than between a 2.5% inclusion level and TMR. Although supplementation of both seaweeds at a 5% inclusion level decreased methane concentration in the total gas due to the high iodine content in the seaweeds tested, the application of practical feeding should be done with caution.
Author: hilduryr@matis.is
Edible seaweeds with a relatively high total arsenic concentration have been a global concern. As the largest seaweed producer, China contributes about 60 % of the global seaweed production. The present study investigated 20 seaweed species collected from representative seaweed farming sites in the six provinces along the Chinese coastline, of which Saccharina japonica, Undaria pinnatifida, Neopyropia spp., Gracilaria spp., Sargassum fusiforme were listed as the most consumed seaweeds in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The inorganic arsenic (iAs) concentration in most of the seaweeds was below maximum limits (0.3 mg iAs/kg) as seaweed additives for infant food in the National Food Safety Standard of Pollutants in China (GB2762-2017, 2017), except for the species Sargassum, in which the iAs concentration significantly exceeded the limit and ranged from 15.1 to 83.7 mg/kg. Arsenic speciation in 4 cultivated seaweeds grown in both temperate and subtropical zones is reported for the first time. No significant differences in total As and iAs concentration were identified, except slightly higher total As concentration were found in Saccharina japonica growing in the temperate zone. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of toxic iAs via seaweed consumption was generally below the EFSA CONTAM Panel benchmark dose lower confidence limit (0.3 μg/kg bw/day) except for all Sargassum species where the EDI was significantly higher than 0.3 μg/kg bw/day. Moreover, the first-ever reported data on As speciation indicated very high iAs concentrations in Sargassum hemiphyllum and Sargassum henslowianum. To minimize the food chain iAs exposure, reducing both human intake of Sargassum spp. and the used of Sargassum spp. for animal feed is highly recommended.
Thirty conventional and twenty-four organic dairy farms were divided into equal numbers within system groups: high-pasture, standard-pasture, and low-pasture groups. Milk samples were collected monthly for 12 consecutive months. Milk from high-pasture organic farms contained less fat and protein than standard- and low-pasture organic farms, but more lactose than low-pasture organic farms. Grazing, concentrate feed intake and the contribution of non-Holstein breeds were the key drivers for these changes. Milk Ca and P concentrations were lower in standard-pasture conventional farms than the other conventional groups. Milk from low-pasture organic farms contained less Ca than high- and standard-pasture organic farms, while high-pasture organic farms produced milk with the highest Sn concentration. Differences in mineral concentrations were driven by the contribution of non-Holstein breeds, feeding practices, and grazing activity; but due to their relatively low numerical differences between groups, the subsequent impact on consumers' dietary mineral intakes would be minor.
Matís' opening hours for Christmas and New Year will be as follows:
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Opening hours at Matís in Reykjavík during the holidays:
December 23: Closed/closed
December 24: Closed/closed
December 25: Closed
December 26: Closed
December 27: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m
December 28: 8: 30–16: 00
December 29: 8: 30–16: 00
December 30: 8:30am–3:00pm
December 31: Closed
January 1: Closed
January 2: Closed
After that, the normal opening hours will take effect again.
A group of students in the Introduction to Engineering course from Reykjavík University visited Matís recently. The students received an award for their project on the production of renewable bioplastic from seaweed for drinking straws.
In their project, the students worked to replace plastic pipes, as innovations that have appeared on the market, such as steel pipes and cardboard pipes, are unsuitable for users. The students therefore decided to produce tubes made of bioplastic from kelp. The group visited Matís recently and spoke with project manager Sophie Jensen to gain more knowledge on the subject.
We recommend watching the students' video below.
Students in the group are:
- Emil Örn Aðalsteinsson
- Hafdís Sól Björnsdóttir
- Halldór Jökull Ólafsson
- Hrannar Briem weekend
- Katla Yr Gautadóttir
We thank the students very much for the visit and wish them good luck.
In the show Science and us shown on Hringbraut is an interview with Ingibjörga Gunnarsdóttir, professor of nutrition at the University of Iceland's Faculty of Food and Nutrition, and Agnes Þóra Árnadóttir, PhD student at Matís.
In the interview, Ingibjörg talks about the effects of nutrition during pregnancy on the health of both mother and child and research that has been done to assess the general state of nutrition. Agnes Þóra has been examining the effect of the mother's nutrition during pregnancy on the intestinal flora of the child. The samples are taken at the age of 4 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years. The way the intestinal flora develops in these children is being monitored, and it is looked at based on what the mother is eating during pregnancy. Both a biological sample and a list of questions are examined, which mothers are asked to answer.
We recommend watching the episode in its entirety on Hringbraut:
Webinar about the results of the joint project between Matís and the University of Reading called "Essential minerals in milk: their variation and nutritional implications" will be held electronically on the 16th of December next at 12:00. The project discussed is called NUTRIMILK and is sponsored by EIT food.
Milk samples were taken from shops in the UK for a whole year (both organic and conventional milk) and the milk was analyzed for minerals and trace elements. The aim is to see if there are seasonal changes, which could be caused by the fact that the composition of the feed varies by season (for example, the cows are outside more in the summer). The results are examined with the nutritional needs of consumers in mind, but it must be taken into account that the nutritional needs of different social groups can vary.
The lecture takes place via Teams from 12:00 – 13:00. Dr Sokratis Stergiadis, associate professor at the University of Reading, will give the talk: Macrominerals and trace elements in cows' retail milk: seasonal variation and implications for consumer nutrition.
Participation is free, but registration is required by clicking the registration button below:
This activity has received funding from EIT Food, the innovation community on Food of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the EU, under the Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Program for Research and Innovation.
Abstract: Milk is an important dietary source of essential macrominerals and trace elements (Ca, I, P, Zn, K, Se, Mg, Na), but there is substantial seasonal variation in their concentrations due to different feeding management between seasons. This large variation may increase the risk of nutrient imbalances throughout the year, particularly in demographics with higher requirements (toddlers, children, pregnant/nursing women). Farm-to-fork interventions can improve consistency in mineral composition but the seasonal and production systems' variation of the retail milk mineral profile is unknown, thus making it difficult for the food and livestock industry to identify the potential risks to nutrient supply. This project study will investigate the seasonal variation in macromineral and trace element concentrations of milk from conventional and organic dairy systems, and assess the impact on mineral intakes of the different demographics throughout the year. Results can be used to inform food-chain interventions for optimum milk mineral contents.
Jónas Baldursson, project manager at Matís, and Eva Margrét Jónudóttir, expert at Matís, discuss the project Sustainable fertilizer production, a comprehensive approach to the circular economy.
The discussion is about fertilizer nutrients, preliminary results of experiments and whether the project should really have been called Skítamix. The sustainability of processes is reviewed by using by-products from various industries, including compost, meat meal, cow dung, aquaculture sludge, chicken droppings and human waste.
We get to hear what was surprising and the importance of making fertilizer production sustainable.
Don't miss this episode. Listen to the full episode here:
Moderator: Hildur Ýr Thráinsdóttir
The partners of the project are: Atmonia, Agricultural University of Iceland, Norwegian Maritime Research Institute, Landsgrædslan and Landsvirkjun.
The project is funded by: Ranni's target plan
On the 29th and 30th of November, the annual Laurentic Forum conference will be held, which this time will be held as an online conference.
Laurentic Forum is a collaboration of companies and institutions in Iceland, Newfoundland & Labrador, Ireland and Norway, where the goal is to promote innovation to strengthen fragile settlements in the North.
The Laurentic forum has mainly focused on innovation in the tourism and fisheries industries. Therefore, the conference program is divided into conference days, i.e. On November 29, the focus will be on the tourism industry, and on November 30, it's the turn of the fishing industry. Matís is part of the Laurentic Forum network, which deals with the fishing industry, but in addition to Matís, the Icelandic group includes Sjávarklasinn, Byggðastofnún, and the Knowledge Center in Vestmannaeyju.
You can see the conference program at Laurentic Forum website and there is also registration. Special attention is drawn to Alexandra Leeper's presentation at Sjávarklasan, which will discuss the full utilization of marine products.
Bógkreppa is a hereditary genetic defect in sheep in Iceland. The defect is likely to be recessive, meaning that in order for lambs to be born with the symptoms of rickets, they must receive the defective gene from both parents.
This means that the genetic defect has been hidden for years in the Icelandic treasury and then unexpectedly pops up. Matís is participating in a project about the search for the genetic defect that causes bow crisis. The research project is funded by the Professional Council for Sheep Breeding, led by the University of Iceland's Institute of Pathology in Keldum, and in addition to Matís, RML is involved in the project.
In the Aries directory 2022-2023, you will find an informative article about the genetic defect. The Aries directory can be accessed by clicking the button below, the article is on pages 52-53.
Want to know more? Also read a previous article about Matís' involvement in the search for genetic factors of bow crisis, below: