1123-Carrageenan Catabolism in Ruminant Microbiomes

Paper Talk · Jun 13, 2026 · 21m

This research investigates how ruminant livestock can digest seaweed polysaccharides, specifically carrageenan, through specialized microbial pathways. By analyzing the microbiomes of cattle fed red seaweed, scientists identified carrageenan-active polysaccharide utilization loci (CarPULs) within the genus Bacteroides. These genetic pathways, which encode keystone enzymes and sulfatases, allow the bacteria to break down complex algal sugars into energy. The study reveals that these catabolic traits are latent and widely distributed across diverse Artiodactyla species worldwide, rather than…