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REDUCING COW EMISSIONS WITH CHILI?

published on 04/05/2024 If I told you that chili, besides adding a spicy kick to your favorite dishes, could also help save the planet, would you believe it? Well yes, it seems that our beloved chili pepper has an important role in reducing harmful emissions in the air, especially in the world of cattle farming. But how is this possible?

A recent study examined the effects of including chili pepper derivative, known as Capsicum oleoresin, in the diet of dairy cows. The results unveiled a promising discovery: adding chili pepper to the animals' diet led to a more efficient utilization of food energy, consequently reducing enteric methane production.

Enteric methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is emitted by cows during digestion and released into the atmosphere through flatulence. This process not only leads to the loss of a valuable portion of food energy but also contributes to the increase of methane concentration in the atmosphere, thus exacerbating the issue of global warming.

The experiment conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania involved a group of Holstein cows, randomly divided into three groups: one group following the basic diet, one group receiving the basic diet with the addition of Capsicum oleoresin, and another group receiving the basic diet with a mixture of Capsicum oleoresin and clove oil. The results were surprising. Although the introduction of additives did not influence the cows' food consumption or milk production, it led to a significant improvement in energy efficiency up to 95%.

The treated animals also recorded an average weight gain of 85 grams per day and a decrease in methane emission per kilogram of dry matter ingested by 11%. Furthermore, the data showed that levels of β-hydroxy butyrate, total fatty acids, and insulin in the animals' blood were not influenced by the treatments, confirming that the introduction of chili pepper into the diet had no negative effects on animal health.

These results are extremely promising and pave the way for further research into the use of chili pepper and other natural additives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in cattle farming. We look forward to discovering what other surprises the world of chili has in store for us and how we can harness them to make our planet a better place. And, in the meantime, we will continue to appreciate its spicy touch in the kitchen, knowing that it is doing its part for a more sustainable future.

References for further reading:

Martins LF, Cueva SF, Silvestre T, Stepanchenko N, Wasson DE, Wall E, Hristov AN. Lactational performance, enteric methane emission, and nutrient utilization of dairy cows supplemented with botanicals. J Dairy Sci. 2024 Jan;107(1):242-257. doi: 10.3168/jds.2023-23719. PMID: 38220436.