In-Vitro Results: ~50% Enteric Methane Reduction
AenoFeed SC-1 — AENON's solid-state fermented red seaweed feed additive — has demonstrated approximately 50% reduction in cumulative enteric methane in standardised in-vitro rumen fermentation assays, while maintaining total VFA production and fibre digestibility.
What in-vitro methane reduction has AENON's AenoFeed SC-1 shown, and what does it mean?
AenoFeed SC-1 reduced cumulative enteric methane by approximately 50% versus an unsupplemented control in standardised in-vitro rumen fermentation assays. Crucially, total volatile fatty acid (VFA) production was maintained — meaning digestion was not suppressed. Propionate (the primary ruminant gluconeogenic substrate) increased proportionally, consistent with the product's dual mechanism of archaea inhibition plus hydrogen redirection to propionate synthesis. These results are documented as core claims in an AENON KIPO patent filing (22 claims). This is an in-vitro (laboratory) finding; in-vivo (live animal) validation is planned for Q4 2026 in collaboration with Seoul National University Pyeongchang.
AENON AenoFeed SC-1의 in-vitro 메탄 저감 결과는 어떠합니까?
AenoFeed SC-1은 표준화된 반추위 in-vitro 발효 시험에서 대조군 대비 약 50%의 누적 장내 메탄 가스를 저감했습니다. 총 VFA(휘발성 지방산) 생성량은 유지되었으며, 프로피온산 비율이 상승하여 이중 기전(메탄생성균 억제 + 수소→프로피온산 전환)과 일치하는 결과를 보였습니다. 해당 데이터는 KIPO 등록 특허 22개 청구항에 포함되어 있습니다. 2026년 4분기 서울대 평창에서 실증 in-vivo 시험 예정입니다.
In-Vitro Rumen Fermentation Assay Protocol
Standardised batch-culture in-vitro fermentation (modified Hohenheim Gas Test), 39°C anaerobic conditions, 24-hour incubation period.
Fresh rumen fluid collected from ruminally cannulated steers immediately before feeding, strained through four layers of cheesecloth under CO₂ atmosphere to maintain anaerobic conditions. Fluid buffered with McDougall's artificial saliva buffer (pH 6.8) at a 1:2 fluid:buffer ratio.
Substrate: timothy hay + concentrate (60:40 DM basis), 0.5 g DM per bottle. Treatment: AenoFeed SC-1 added at 0.5–1.0% of substrate DM. Control: substrate without AenoFeed SC-1. All treatments prepared in triplicate sealed glass bottles (120 mL), purged with CO₂ prior to sealing.
Sealed bottles incubated at 39°C in orbital shaker (120 rpm). Total gas production measured by pressure transducer at 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours. Methane and CO₂ concentrations determined by gas chromatography (GC-FID/TCD) from headspace samples at 24 hours.
Post-incubation: pH measured immediately. Fermentation liquid centrifuged; supernatant analysed for VFA profiles (acetate, propionate, butyrate) by HPLC. Residue dried (65°C, 48h) for NDF/ADF digestibility. All parameters compared against control using paired t-test (p<0.05).
Results expressed as mean ± SE of triplicate measurements. Methane reduction calculated as percentage decrease from control. Data included in KIPO patent filing as efficacy evidence for 22 claims. Independent replication ongoing as part of in-vivo trial preparation at Seoul National University Pyeongchang (Q4 2026).
Key Fermentation Parameters: AenoFeed SC-1 vs. Control
| Fermentation Parameter | Control (no additive) | AenoFeed SC-1 | Direction vs. Control | Evidence Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total CH₄ (methane gas) | Baseline (100%) | ~50% of control | ↓ ~50% | GREEN |
| Total VFA (volatile fatty acids) | Baseline | No significant difference | → Maintained | GREEN |
| Acetate (C2 VFA) | Baseline | Slight decrease (not significant) | → Stable | GREEN |
| Propionate (C3 VFA) | Baseline | Increased proportion | ↑ Enriched | GREEN |
| Butyrate (C4 VFA) | Baseline | No significant difference | → Maintained | GREEN |
| NDF digestibility (fibre) | Baseline | No significant difference | → Preserved | GREEN |
| Rumen pH (end-point) | Baseline (~6.8) | Within normal range | → No adverse shift | GREEN |
| In-vivo CH₄ (live animal) | — | Planned Q4 2026 | Under investigation | YELLOW — Pending |
Data represent mean of triplicate in-vitro assay runs. Exact values are patent-confidential. GREEN = validated in-vitro finding included in KIPO patent. YELLOW = in-vivo study ongoing.
What These Results Mean for the Industry
The Global Methane Pledge targets 30% reduction by 2030. A ~50% in-vitro result provides sufficient efficacy headroom to translate to commercially meaningful in-vivo effects even accounting for real-animal variability.
Products that suppress VFA production reduce animal energy intake and feed efficiency — making them commercially unviable for farmers. AenoFeed SC-1's maintained VFA profile and elevated propionate indicates it does not compromise animal nutrition.
The simultaneous rise in propionate proportion confirms that hydrogen is being redirected rather than wasted, corroborating the theoretical dual mechanism (archaea inhibition + H₂→propionate pathway).
These results meet the evidentiary standard required for KIPO patent claims. 22 claims are filed and registered, covering the process (SSF at 45°C), formulation (70:30 ratio), and efficacy (methane reduction mechanism).
Next Step: In-Vivo Validation
AENON team and SNU Pyeongchang research staff during site visit. Respiration chambers, individual feeding stations, and laboratory analysis infrastructure confirmed for in-vivo trial execution.
- ▸6-head crossover design
- ▸Respiration chamber methane measurement
- ▸Cattle at SNU Pyeongchang research farm
- ▸Primary endpoint: CH₄ (g/kg DMI)
- ▸Secondary: feed intake, FCR, BW
- ▸Institution: Seoul National University Pyeongchang
- ▸Site visit: Completed (AENON team + SNU staff)
- ▸Trial start: Q4 2026
- ▸Duration: 8–12 weeks per period
- ▸YELLOW — Under Study
In-vivo results are classified as YELLOW (under study). Claims about in-vivo efficacy, carbon credit equivalence, or per-animal economic benefit will be updated only upon completion of peer-reviewed in-vivo data. Do not cite in-vivo numbers from this page — they do not yet exist.