Technology · Mechanism

How SeaTrace™ SC-1
reduces methane —
without bromoform.

The rumen makes methane because it needs somewhere to put hydrogen. SeaTrace™ SC-1 cuts that hydrogen off at two points simultaneously — suppressing the microbes that make methane, and redirecting hydrogen into propionate that the animal actually uses.

Core Mechanism — 3 Sentences
  1. 01 The rumen ferments feed into energy (VFAs) and, as a byproduct, metabolic hydrogen (H₂).
  2. 02 Methanogenic archaea are the rumen's default hydrogen exhaust — they combine H₂ + CO₂ → CH₄ (methane), which is belched out as the animal's biggest GHG emission.
  3. 03 SeaTrace™ SC-1 acts on both entry points: (A) red seaweed bioactives suppress methanogens; (B) SSF probiotics redirect the remaining H₂ into propionate — energy the animal absorbs. Methane falls. Feed efficiency holds.
~50% CH₄ reduction (In-Vitro, preliminary) Bromoform: 0 detected In-vivo validation planned Q4 2026 · SNU Pyeongchang
The Root Problem

The rumen doesn't make methane
on purpose. It's disposing of hydrogen.

Understanding why methane forms is the key to understanding why AENON's approach works — and why a second mechanism matters.

Rumen Fermentation — The Hydrogen Problem
Feed (carbohydrates) ingested RUMEN Microbial fermentation VFAs energy for animal H₂ byproduct + Methanogenic Archaea H₂ + CO₂ → CH₄ H₂ flows to methanogens CH₄ methane belch GHG emission ~14.5% global livestock GHG VFAs absorbed by animal KEY INSIGHT Methane = Hydrogen Exhaust The rumen doesn't "make" methane. It disposes of hydrogen via the path of least resistance: H₂ + CO₂ → CH₄ Block this path — or give H₂ a better exit. SeaTrace™ SC-1 does both.
STEP 1
Feed fermentation produces H₂

Rumen microbes break down carbohydrates into VFAs (acetate, propionate, butyrate) that the animal absorbs as energy. H₂ is an unavoidable fermentation byproduct that must be continuously cleared.

STEP 2
Methanogens are the default hydrogen exhaust

Methanobrevibacter ruminantium and related archaea are the dominant electron sink in the rumen. They combine H₂ + CO₂ → CH₄. Every molecule of methane is hydrogen the animal cannot use — and a greenhouse gas emitted to atmosphere.

SOLUTION
Cut hydrogen off at two points

SeaTrace™ SC-1 suppresses the methanogens (fewer archaea = less H₂ consumed as CH₄) and simultaneously activates propionate synthesis (H₂ captured as a productive VFA). Methane falls; feed efficiency holds.

Core Science · Dual Mechanism

Two pathways.
One outcome.

SeaTrace™ SC-1 suppresses methane through two independent, complementary biological pathways that operate simultaneously inside the rumen. Neither alone is sufficient — together they close both hydrogen exits.

A
Direct Mechanism
Methanogen Archaea Suppression
Active Agent
Sulphated polysaccharides from red seaweed:
  • Eucheuma denticulatum — Spinosum
  • Kappaphycus alvarezii — Cottonii
Mechanism

Marine bioactive polysaccharides directly suppress the activity and proliferation of methanogenic archaea (primarily Methanobrevibacter ruminantium) in the rumen microbiome. With fewer active methanogens, less H₂ is converted to CH₄.

CH₄ production reduced
Without Mechanism B

Suppressing methanogens alone risks hydrogen accumulation in the rumen — uncleared H₂ inhibits fermentation and depresses feed efficiency. This is the core limitation of single-inhibitor approaches.

In-Vitro confirmed (preliminary)
B
Indirect Mechanism
Hydrogen Rerouted to Propionate
Active Agent
SSF probiotic strains — alternative H₂ sink:
  • Lentilactobacillus buchneri OV-5
  • Weissella cibaria KACC 92499P
Mechanism

SSF fermentation metabolites and probiotic activity promote the propionate fermentation pathway as a competing alternative electron sink for metabolic H₂ — the same hydrogen that would otherwise go to methanogens.

Default: H₂ + CO₂ → CH₄ ↑
With SC-1: H₂ → Propionate ↑
Why propionate matters

Propionate (C3 VFA) is directly absorbed by the animal as a glucogenic energy substrate. Hydrogen that would have been lost as methane is instead captured as productive energy — feed efficiency is preserved or improved.

Propionate ↑ confirmed (preliminary)
A + B Combined — Rumen Chemistry with SeaTrace™ SC-1
Feed + SeaTrace™ SC-1 RUMEN Archaea suppressed ↓ A H₂ redirected B CH₄ ~50% suppressed ✕ Propionate ↑ energy preserved COMBINED OUTCOME ~50% CH₄ Reduction In-Vitro · Preliminary Propionate ↑ H₂ captured as productive VFA Feed efficiency maintained Bromoform: 0 detected A — Archaea suppression B — H₂ → Propionate CH₄ suppressed Propionate pathway (active)
Why both mechanisms are necessary

Mechanism A (archaea suppression) reduces methane directly — but suppressing the dominant electron sink without providing an alternative risks hydrogen accumulation, which inhibits fermentation and depresses feed conversion efficiency. Mechanism B solves this by activating propionate synthesis as an alternative hydrogen sink: the H₂ that would have become methane is instead captured as a productive C3 VFA the animal absorbs. The net result is that methane falls and feed efficiency is preserved. This is the structural advantage of SeaTrace™ SC-1's dual-mechanism design over single-inhibitor approaches.

How to Explain It

The same mechanism,
three ways.

The science is the same at every level. The framing adjusts for the audience.

For Non-Expert Investors
10-second plain-language version
"The cow's stomach produces hydrogen as a byproduct of digestion, and methane is basically how it disposes of that hydrogen as a burp. We do two things at once: we suppress the microbes that turn hydrogen into methane, and we give the hydrogen a better exit — converting it into energy the cow actually absorbs. Methane falls, the cow still eats and grows normally. And there's no bromoform or residual chemical in the milk."
For Technical Partners / Scientists
30-second mechanistic version
"Rumen fermentation produces H₂ as the primary electron carrier — methanogenic archaea (principally Methanobrevibacter ruminantium) are the dominant electron sink, combining H₂ + CO₂ → CH₄. We address this via a dual mechanism. (A) Sulphated polysaccharides from Eucheuma denticulatum (Spinosum) and Kappaphycus alvarezii (Cottonii) suppress methanogen activity and proliferation — reducing the primary electron sink. (B) SSF-derived strains Lentilactobacillus buchneri OV-5 and Weissella cibaria KACC 92499P activate the propionate fermentation pathway as a competing hydrogen sink, redirecting H₂ → propionate rather than CH₄. This resolves the hydrogen-accumulation risk inherent in single-inhibitor approaches and preserves FCR. Preliminary in-vitro results: ~50% CH₄ reduction, propionate elevation, no bromoform detected."
The Direct Challenge
"How is this different from bromoform?" — 15-second answer
"Bromoform-based approaches work by blocking the final enzymatic step of methanogenesis — they're effective, but bromoform is a regulated halocarbon that transfers into milk, which is why national milk residue standards now exist for it. Our formulation contains no bromoform — it's derived from Eucheuma and Kappaphycus, not Asparagopsis. Our mechanism is biological: archaea suppression plus a probiotic hydrogen-sink layer that redirects H₂ to propionate. Current in-vitro efficacy data favours the bromoform camp in absolute CH₄ numbers, but our structural advantage is zero residue risk and the fact that the propionate elevation actually preserves feed efficiency."
Differentiation

How AENON differs
from bromoform approaches.

A balanced comparison. Bromoform-based approaches are effective — but carry structural residue and regulatory risks that SeaTrace™ SC-1 is designed to avoid.

Bromoform-Based Approaches
(e.g. Asparagopsis taxiformis)
High efficacy — 3-NOP and Asparagopsis show among the strongest CH₄ reduction numbers in current literature. Blocks final methanogenesis step directly.
Bromoform (CHBr₃) in milk — bromoform transfers into milk at detectable levels, requiring national maximum residue limits and ongoing regulatory monitoring.
Single-mechanism risk — blocking methanogens without an alternative H₂ sink can cause hydrogen accumulation, potentially depressing fermentation efficiency and FCR.
Supply and scale — Asparagopsis cultivation at commercial scale remains challenging; synthetic 3-NOP requires chemical manufacturing and controlled distribution.
SeaTrace™ SC-1
Eucheuma + Kappaphycus (SSF)
Bromoform-free — Eucheuma denticulatum and Kappaphycus alvarezii do not produce bromoform. No halocarbon compounds detected in formulation. No milk residue risk.
Dual mechanism — A (archaea suppression) + B (H₂ → propionate). Mechanism B resolves the hydrogen-accumulation risk structurally, without requiring a separate additive.
Feed efficiency preserved — propionate elevation means hydrogen lost as methane is captured as a productive glucogenic substrate for the animal.
Tropical red seaweed supply — Eucheuma and Kappaphycus are widely cultivated commodity seaweeds (Indonesia, Philippines) with established global supply chains.
Efficacy note — In-vitro CH₄ reduction (~50%, preliminary) does not yet match the highest reported values for bromoform-based approaches. In-vivo validation is required before direct comparison.
Scientific accuracy guidelines — what NOT to claim
Do not claim bromoform is present — SeaTrace™ SC-1 contains none. Never imply the mechanism is bromoform-related.
Do not represent in-vitro as in-vivo — always qualify "~50%" with "in-vitro, preliminary." In-vivo validation is pending Q4 2026.
Do not claim superior efficacy — current in-vitro CH₄ reduction data does not exceed leading bromoform-based products. Our advantage is residue safety and dual mechanism.
Do not omit Mechanism B — stating "seaweed reduces methane" without explaining the probiotic H₂-sink layer is incomplete. Both mechanisms must be described as a set.
In-Vitro Results

What the data
shows so far.

Preliminary batch-culture rumen fermentation assay. In-vivo validation planned Q4 2026 — SNU Pyeongchang, 6-head Hanwoo crossover.

~50%
CH₄ Reduction
vs. vehicle control. Batch-culture rumen fermentation gas production assay. Preliminary. Not in-vivo validated.
In-Vitro · Preliminary
↑
Propionate (C3 VFA)
Elevated vs. control. Confirms active H₂ redirection via Mechanism B. Propionate = glucogenic energy substrate for the animal.
In-Vitro · Preliminary
0
Bromoform Detected
No halocarbon compounds. Source species: Eucheuma denticulatum + Kappaphycus alvarezii. Not Asparagopsis taxiformis.
Verified
Evidence Level Disclosure
All results above are from preliminary in-vitro rumen fermentation assays (batch-culture gas production method). In-vitro results cannot be directly extrapolated to live animal performance. Statistical significance across replicate runs is under evaluation. In-vivo validation is planned at Seoul National University Pyeongchang campus, Q4 2026, using a 6-head Hanwoo crossover design measuring CH₄ (SF₆ tracer gas technique), FCR, DMI, and VFA profiles simultaneously. AENON will publish outcomes transparently regardless of result direction and will not represent in-vitro data as animal-validated until in-vivo results are available.
Full Pipeline

Five steps from ocean
to lower methane.

STEP 01
🌿
Red Seaweed Selection
Two tropical red seaweed species selected for their sulphated polysaccharide profile:

Eucheuma denticulatum (Spinosum)
Kappaphycus alvarezii (Cottonii)

Sourced Indonesia. Bromoform-free. Not Asparagopsis taxiformis.
STEP 02
⚗️
Solid-State Fermentation (SSF)
Conventional liquid extraction is ineffective for carrageenan-gelled red seaweed. AENON's proprietary SSF process uses selected probiotic strains to:

— Break down gel matrix (carrageenan)
— Release bioactive sulphated polysaccharides
— Produce probiotic metabolites (H₂-sink strains)
— Optimise rumen bioavailability

SSF output contains both the seaweed bioactives (Mechanism A) and the probiotic strains (Mechanism B).
STEP 03
📦
SeaTrace™ SC-1 Formulation
SSF-processed material is formulated as a dry powder feed additive.

— Mixed directly into TMR (Total Mixed Ration)
— No separate dosing equipment required
— Active components: sulphated polysaccharides + L. buchneri OV-5 + W. cibaria KACC 92499P
— Shelf-stable dry formulation

Formulation confirmed
STEP 04
🔬
Rumen Entry — Both Mechanisms Activate
When ingested with feed, SeaTrace™ SC-1 enters the rumen and distributes through rumen fluid. Both mechanisms activate simultaneously:

A — Sulphated polysaccharides contact methanogenic archaea → suppression begins
B — Probiotic strains (L. buchneri OV-5, W. cibaria KACC 92499P) promote propionate pathway → alternative H₂ sink established
STEP 05
🎯
Outcome — CH₄ ↓ · Propionate ↑ · FCR ✓
The two mechanisms close both H₂ exits simultaneously:

— Methanogen suppression → fewer archaea converting H₂ to CH₄
— Propionate sink → remaining H₂ captured as productive C3 VFA
— CH₄ belch emission reduced ~50% (in-vitro, preliminary)
— Propionate elevated → energy preserved for animal → FCR maintained
— No bromoform, no residue, no synthetic chemical

In-Vitro evidence (preliminary)
Development Roadmap

Where we are.
Where we're going.

Stage 1 — Complete
In-Vitro Rumen Fermentation Assay
~50% CH₄ reduction Propionate ↑ (Mechanism B active) VFA profile maintained Bromoform: 0
Batch-culture gas production assay. Dual mechanism confirmed active (both A and B). Statistical significance to be confirmed in in-vivo setting.
View detailed data
Stage 2 — Planned Q4 2026
In-Vivo Cattle Trial — Seoul National University Pyeongchang
6-head Hanwoo crossover design SF₆ tracer gas (direct CH₄ measurement) CH₄ · FCR · VFA · DMI simultaneous Peer-review submission planned
First in-vivo validation of both mechanisms (A: archaea suppression; B: propionate elevation) in live animals. Results will be published transparently regardless of outcome direction.
Stage 3 — Post In-Vivo
Regulatory Submission + Commercial Farm Trials
RDA (Rural Development Administration) pre-consultation Multi-farm dairy pilot GHG Protocol MRV certification K-ETS · Verra / Gold Standard eligibility
Commercial eligibility requires product registration and applicable programme criteria. No commercial claims will be made prior to Stage 2 completion.
Explore Further

Dig deeper.
Or talk to us directly.

For technical documentation, raw in-vitro data, or partnership discussions, contact us directly at zionbong@aenon.co.kr.

SSF Process Details Full Dual-Mechanism Paper In-Vitro Data Partner with AENON