Peer-reviewed scientific studies
Measuring is the highest form of operational sustainability:
what is measurable can be improved,
and what is verifiable can be replicated.
Here you will find peer-reviewed scientific publications and conference contributions selected by a scientific committee, documenting, using measurable methods, the impact of SOP practices and treatments in livestock farming and agriculture.
For each piece of evidence, we report the context, experimental design, KPIs (e.g., NH₃, CH₄, N₂O, odors, SCC) and, when available, the link to the primary source.
17
Research
project
Developed with scientific partners: 13 already completed and the remaining currently ongoing, with experimental research activities both in the field and in livestock housing facilities.
9
Scientific
publications
Peer-reviewed, published in leading international journals including Atmosphere, Sustainability,
Italian Journal of Animal Science, Agronomy, and Italus Hortus.
Italian Journal of Animal Science, Agronomy, and Italus Hortus.
14
Research centers and universities
Collaborations with Italian and international universities and research centers, including UC Davis, Cornell University, and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and the University
of Milan.
6
Fields of
application
Cross-sector applications across six different areas: livestock farming (cattle, pigs, poultry), forage and crop production, viticulture, manure management, and biogas plants.
Dairy and Beef Cattle Sector
Effects of a blend of deactivated yeast, carob’s condensed tannins and bentonite on lactating dairy cows performance and in vitro fermentation testing long and short term effects.
Study conducted by the team of Professor Erminio Trevisi (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore) at the CERZOO research center. The research evaluated the efficacy of SOP® STAR COW (8 g/head/day) in mid-to-late lactation dairy cows exposed to conditions of progressively increasing heat stress.
The results showed patterns consistent with improved ruminal and metabolic balance, with a marked reduction in ruminal lactic acid (5,01 vs 1,11 mmol/L; -77,8%), associated with a tendency toward increased rumination (+3.2%).
Furthermore, the treatment exhibited higher albumin levels (+5.3%), increased blood calcium (+4.5%), and higher milk fat content (+3.4%) during periods of greater heat stress.
The in vitro trial confirmed improved fermentative efficiency, with a reduction in total gas production (-9.1%).
Benedetti L., Bani G., Bani P., Trevisi E.
2026
Italian Journal of Animal Science, 25:1, 274-286
Mitigating Ammonia Emissions from Liquid Manure Using a Commercially Available Additive Under Real-Scale Farm Conditions
An inter-university study conducted in a commercial barn (University of Milan and University of California, Davis) on bovine slurry. Professor Bacenetti’s team studied ammonia emissions from two parallel tanks over 3.5 months and measured a 77% reduction in ammonia during the first month and an 87% reduction by the end of the trial in the tank treated with SOP LAGOON compared to the baseline. The untreated tank (Standard) showed no statistically significant changes.
Chiodini M.E., Costantini M., Zoli M., Aspesi D., Poggianella L., Bacenetti J.
2025
Atmosphere
Real-Scale Study on Methane and Carbon Dioxide Emission Reduction from Dairy Liquid Manure with the Commercial Additive SOP LAGOON
An inter-university study in a commercial barn (University of Milan and University of California, Davis) on bovine slurry. Professor Bacenetti’s team monitored greenhouse gas emissions from two parallel slurry tanks over 3.5 months and measured reductions of methane (-80%) and CO₂ (-75%) from the storage tank treated with SOP LAGOON compared to the standard tank. Operators also reported a decrease in odors and a reduction in the time required for slurry agitation before spreading.
Chiodini M.E., Costantini M., Zoli M., Bacenetti J., Aspesi D., Poggianella L., Acutis M.
2023
Sustainability
Effect of SOP “STAR COW” on Enteric Gaseous Emissions and Dairy Cattle Performance
A study by the University of California, Davis, on dairy cows treated with SOP STAR COW compared to a control group. Professor Mitloehner’s team monitored the animals’ production and emission parameters for six weeks and found, at the end of the trial, a reduction in enteric methane emissions (-20.5%) and CO₂ (-18.4%) as well as an improvement in milk quality (+6.5% protein), while the control group showed no significant differences compared to the beginning of the trial.
Ross E.G., Peterson C.B., Carrazco A.V., Werth S.J., Zhao Y., Pan Y., DePeters E.J., Fadel J.G., Chiodini M.E., Poggianella L., Mitloehner F.M.
2020
Sustainability
Effects of SOP Lagoon Additive on Gaseous Emissions from Stored Liquid Dairy Manure
A study by the University of California, Davis, on the liquid fraction of separated bovine manure stored in barrels for 7 days under static conditions. Professor Mitloehner’s team continuously measured greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions and found reductions in greenhouse gases (-45.4% N₂O, -14.7% CO₂, -22.7% CH₄), ammonia (-45.9%), and odors in barrels treated with SOP LAGOON compared to the untreated control.
Peterson C.B., El Mashad H.M., Zhao Y., Pan Y., Mitloehner F.M.
2020
Sustainability
Improving the Sustainability of Dairy Slurry by A Commercial Additive Treatment
A study by the University of Milan on fresh bovine manure stored in barrels for 26 days under static conditions. Professor Guarino’s team measured reductions in greenhouse gases (-100% N₂O, -22.9% CO₂, -21.5% CH₄) and ammonia (-100%), as well as an improvement in the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) of barrels treated with SOP LAGOON compared to untreated ones.
The study also highlights that emissions begin to rise again when the use of the product is stopped.
Borgonovo F., Conti C., Lovarelli, Ferrante V., Guarino M.
2019
Sustainability
Case Report: Clinical Mastitis Monitoring on a Commercial Arizona Dairy Farm
A study on 3,000 cows in a commercial barn in Arizona, comparing a control group and a group treated with SOP (additive on bedding/environment) monitored over 3 months. In collaboration with the University of Milan and Professor Bronzo, the researchers found a significant reduction in the incidence of clinical mastitis (P<0,01) in fresh, primaparous, and multiparous cows.
Preliminary results of in-field monitoring of a feed additive for rumen functionality on 7 Italian commercial dairy farms
Monitoring of 7 italian farms (1,357 animals in total) for 1 year before and 1 year after the use of the SOP additive for rumen functionality. Researchers, coordinated by Professor Bronzo from the University of Milan, monitored the animals' response to SOP STAR COW, measuring a +4.14% increase milk production and a -13,52% reduction in somatic cell count (SCC).
Luparia P., Rota N., Poggianella M., Cannizzaro C., Smalley S., Bronzo V.
2016
NMC Mastitis Research Workers Meeting (Phoenix, AZ, USA)
Luparia P., Rota N., Poggianella M., Bronzo V.
2015
ESVCN Congress (Toulouse, Francia)
Investigation of a bio-hygienizing additive for oral use in Dairy Cows: effect on the somatic cell count in milk
A study on 140 lactating cows in Northern Italy during the critical summer period (April-September), using the bio-hygienizing SOP additive in the total mixed ration (TMR) car. Researchers, coordinated by Professor Bronzo from the University of Milan, measured a significant reduction (P<0,01) and control of somatic cell levels compared to the control group.
SOP treatment of separated manure solids to reduce Klebsiella bacteria counts
A study conducted with Cornell University by Professor Ynte Schukken's team on separated manure solids, with daily sampling of piles treated with the bio-hygienizing SOP versus a control. The researchers measured an average reduction of over 90% in Klebsiella counts, with peaks of 99,9% on the second day of treatment compared to the control pile.
Luparia P., Poggianella M., Bronzo V.
2012
ADSA-AMPA-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting (Phoenix, AZ, USA)
Sharkey H.L., Zanierato A., Luparia P., Poggianella M., Moroni P., Schukken Y.H.
2011
NMC 50th Annual Meeting (Arlington, VA, USA)
The annual monitoring of the SCC on a commercial Italian farm treated with SOP
A inter-university monitoring study (University of Milan and Cornell University) over 8 months, from December to July, of somatic cell counts (SCC) in primiparous cows in a commercial Italian barn, comparing areas treated with the bio-hygienizing SOP and untreated areas. Researchers, coordinated by Professor Moroni, measured a 52,7% reduction in SCC in post-partum primiparous cows in the treated area.
Monitoring the effects of a Bio-hygienization treatment on the growth performance of calves for replacement heifers
An inter-university study (University of Guelph, University of Milan) on 19 replacement heifers in Ontario (Canada), with SOP treatment int he bedding of calving pens for 120 days. The study showed improved growth performance, with a 14,04% increase in average daily weight gain compared to the control group.
Zanierato A., Casalone M., Luparia P., Bronzo V., Moroni P.
2011
NMC 50th Annual Meeting (Arlington, VA, USA)
Zanierato A., Accorinti I., Luparia P., Bronzo V., Tetone E., Leslie K.
2010
XXVI Buiatrics World Congress (Santiago, Cile)
Monitoring of the efficacy of a Bio-hygienization treatment on the reduction of the microbial load in cubicles with mats of an Italian dairy herd
A multi-institutional study by the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Cornell University and University of Milan on rubber-matted cubicles; microbiological monitoring was performed every 15 days. Researchers, coordinated by Professor Moroni (Cornell University), measured reductions in total bacterial count (-36,9%), Streptococci (-47,5%), and E. Coli (-30,8%) on surfaces treated with the bio-hygienzing SOP.
Efficacy of a Bio-hygienization additive in controlling the yeast-like microalga Prototheca zopfii
An in vitro study by the University of Perugia on the effectiveness of SOP in reducing the concentration of Prototheca zopfii in sterile inoculated manure samples. Professor Buzzini measured a significant reduction (P<0,01) in viable algal cell counts. in the pile treated with the bio-hygienizing SOP compared to the control over time.
Favretti M., Moroni P., Bronzo V., Cavalli S., Zanierato A.
2010
NMC 49th Annual Meeting (Albuquerque, NM, USA)
Zanierato A., Buzzini P.
2008
NMC 47th Annual Meeting (New Orleans, LA, USA)
Monitoring of the efficacy of a Bio-hygienization treatment on the reduction of the microbial load in cubicles of an Italian herd
An inter-university study (Cornell University, University of Milan) conducted over 360 days on 140 cows in cubicles with separated manure and straw, divided into SOP and control groups. Researchers, coordinated by Professor Moroni (Cornell University), measured a drastic reduction in microbial load in the bedding, including Streptococci (-81,8%), total coliforms (-81,8%) and E. coli (-76,6%).
Efficacy of a Bio-hygienization additive on microbial control in dairy cow bedding
A two-year study by the University of Perugia on 60 cows in free-stall housing on straw in Umbria. Researchers, coordinated by Professor Tacconi, monitored animal health and microbial load, measuring reductions in total bacterial count (-96,45%), Micrococcaceae (-98,77%), and Enterobacteriaceae (-93,54%) in the bedding, as well as a 35,58% reduction in somatic cell count in milk after the introduction of the bio-hygienizing SOP.
Bronzo V., Zanierato A., Varano R., Moroni P.
2009
NMC 48th Annual Meeting (Charlotte, NC, USA)
Tacconi G., Pennacchi M., Boni P., Covarelli A., Zanierato A.
2007
NMC 46th Annual Meeting (San Antonio, TX, USA)
Evaluation of the efficacy of a litter additive in the control of Staphylococcus spp. and coliform levels: preliminary results of a field trial on organic Chianina beef cattle
A field study by the University of Perugia on organic Chianina beef cattle. Researchers, coordinated by Professor Tacconi, observed a 36,78% reduction in Straphylococcus spp. and a 49,79% reduction in coliforms in the bedding treated with the bio-hygienizing SOP compared to the control.
Casagrande Proietti P., Franceschini R., Pennacchi M., Tacconi G.
2005
4th World Italian Beef Cattle Congress (Gubbio, Italia)
Pig Farming Sector
Ammonia (NH₃) Mitigation in Intensive Pig Housing via a Novel Feed-Based Intervention: Real-Scale Evidence from High-Frequency Indoor Concentration Monitoring
The study was conducted in a commercial intensive pig farm to evaluate the effectiveness of SOP LAGOON Feed Pig in mitigating indoor ammonia. The research monitored NH₃ concentrations through high-frequency measurements taken every 2 hours, applying a robust statistical analysis based on Circular Block Bootstrap.
The results showed a very marked reduction in ammonia during the weaning phase, with mean concentrations decreasing from 7.51 to 1.37 ppm, corresponding to -81.7%. In the growing phase, under conditions of pre-existing untreated slurry and an overflow system, a significant reduction was observed from 5.45 to 4.31 ppm, corresponding to -20.9%.
Under the tested conditions, the study confirms the potential of the feed-based intervention to reduce NH₃ concentrations in livestock environments, contributing to improved air quality, animal welfare, worker health, and the environmental sustainability of pig production.
Chiodini M.E., Aspesi D., Poggianella L., Acutis M.
2026
Atmosphere, 17(5), 462
Monitoring of the efficacy of SOP on the reduction of the microbial load in an Italian commercial fattening pig farm
A 23-month monitoring study by the University of Perugia in a finishing pig farm, with monthly slurry sampling. Researchers, coordinated by Professor Tacconi, measured a reduction in bacterial load in slurry treated with SOP PIG LAGOON, including total bacterial count (-73,1%), Micrococcaceae (-62,9%), Strepctococcaceae (-66,9%), and Enterobacteriaceae (-67,6%).
Tacconi G., Covarelli A., Zanierato A.
2009
ADSA-CSAS-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting
(Montréal, Canada)
Poultry Farming Sector
Evaluation of the efficacy of a bio-hygienization additive in ammonia level control in broiler houses
A study by the University of Perugia on broiler houses (8,200-8,600 birds), comparing ammonia levels in 1st and 7th weeks. Researchers, coordinated by Professor Tacconi, measured a 16% reduction in ambient ammonia during the first week and a 63% reduction by the seventh week in the house treated with the bio-hygienizing SOP.
Evaluation of the efficacy of a litter additive in the control of the ammonia level in broiler houses: preliminary results
A study by the University of Perugia on two poultry houses (tunnel-ventilated). Researchers, coordinated by Professor Tacconi, measured a reduction in ammonia levels in the bedding treated with the bio-hygienizing SOP of the 62% during the chick phase and 71% during the adult phase compared to the control.
Tacconi G., Zanierato A., Covarelli A.
2007
ADSA-CSAS-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting (San Antonio, TX, USA)
Tacconi G., Casagrande Proietti P., Arcaro R., Galli R.
2003
42nd SIPA Meeting (Forlì, Italia)
Agriculture Sector
Reducing N Fertilization without Yield Penalties in Maize with a Commercially Available Seed Dressing
A inter-university study (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Piacenza, Univerisity of Milan, University of Turin, University of California Davis) on maize. Researchers, coordinated by Professor Tabaglio, observed that crops treated with biostimulant Resonant maintained yield despite a 30% reduction in chemical nitrogen fertilization, while also reducing N2O emissions by 23% compared to standard practices.
Maris S.C., Capra F., Ardenti F., Chiodini M.E., Boselli R., Taskin E., Puglisi E., Bertora C., Poggianella L., Amaducci S., Tabaglio V., Fiorini A.
2021
Agronomy
A new phytostimulating treatment for maize seed germination
An experimental study by Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Piacenza and the Istituto Sperimentale Tadini on two maize varieties (class 400 and 700), comparing untreated seeds, treated with conventional coating, and seeds treated with the SOP biostimulant. Researchers, coordinated by Professor Baffi, measured and improvement in emergence speed and uniformity (+100% vs. control and higher than chemical coating) 12 days after sowing in plants treated with SOP biostimulant.
Zanierato A., Tassi D., Accorinti I., Luparia P., Vieira de Manincor E., Baffi C.
2011
17th IFOAM Organic World Congress
(Namyangju City, Corea)
Viticulture Sector
