RE: Seaweed and steak

[Guest guest]

Hi All, & Mike,

 

I wrote:

> See data on seaweed composition and use in animals at " Influence of a

> brown seaweed on antioxidants in forages and livestock—A review "

> http://www.asas.org/jas/jas0939.pdf

 

Mike Bowser replied:

> Interesting article. Other than making a better steak what is your point?

 

Mike, the KEYWORDS were: Health, Immunology, Seaweeds, Stress

 

The authors found the following effects of seaweed extract when given

to animals:

* Improved immune function

* Normalised serum cholesterol, indicating effects on lipid

metabolism

* Possibly fattening (fat-marbling was greater in meat)

* Antioxidant and membrane-stabilising effects (indicated by

longer shelf-life of meat)

* Antistress effects (improved weight gain and feed intake of

stressed pigs), but failed to reduce morbidity and mortality in

transported heifers stressed by Pasturella haemolytica

* Further research is needed

 

ABSTRACT: Tasco-Forage, an extract from the brown seaweed

Ascophyllum nodosum, has increased antioxidant activity in both plants

and animals. Turf and forage grasses exhibited increased amounts of á-

tocopherol, ascorbic acid, â-carotene, and increased activities of

superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and ascorbate peroxidase

in response to exogenous application of Tasco. Endophyte

(Neotyphodium coenophialum [(Morgan-Jones and Gams) Glenn,

Bacon, and Hanlin]-infected tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)

can increase oxidative stress. Both high environmental temperatures

and increased body temperatures increase respiratory rates, which

increase free radical production. Steers that grazed infected fescue had

diminished immune function and vitamin E, Cu, and Se status,

indicating less ability to deal with oxidative stress. Two applications of

Tasco-Forage (3.4 kg/ha in water solution) to infected fescue during the

growing season improved steers’ immune function, and the effect lasted

through cross-country transportation and a 160-d feedlot finishing

period. Grazing infected fescue reduced serum cholesterol, but the

effect was reversed by Tasco, indicating effects on lipid metabolism.

Applying Tasco to low-endophyte fescue seemed to have an immune-

dampening effect on steers, at least during the grazing season. At

slaughter, marbling was greater in retail cuts of meat and meat had a

longer shelf-life if steers had grazed the Tasco-treated fescue,

regardless of the endophyte. Direct supplementation to steers with

Tasco-EX (extract) during the final 14 d in the feedyard also extended

shelf-life of strip loins. Supplementation of Tasco-EX or Tasco-14 (meal)

to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome-stressed pigs during

the nursery phase improved weight gain and feed intake within 35 d.

Supplementing Tasco-EX in drinking water failed to reduce morbidity

and mortality in transported heifers stressed by Pasturella haemolytica.

The mode of action of Tasco is not clear, but antioxidants and specific

vitamins may be involved. Supplementation with certain antioxidants can

have beneficial effects, but inappropriate use can have detrimental

effects. Although positive effects on stress tolerance and carcass

composition are apparent, further research is needed to elucidate these

relationships and to provide predictable responses.

 

Best regards,

 

 

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