The use of banquettes of Posidonia oceanica as a source of fiber and minerals in ruminant nutrition. An observational study

Abstract

In the search for new food sources that contribute to the optimization of livestock production this paper discusses the possibility of using waste (called banquettes) of a marine plant commonly found on the Mediterranean coasts: Posidonia oceanica. The idea stems from the use of a waste that in summertime generates large costs because it is considered bothersome on the beaches. Thus, tons and tons of residues are collected each year from the beach, being destined for incineration. However, alternative uses for these residues are suggested, such as forage that is particularly relevant for the Mediterranean coast, where the weather does not support abundant grass growth. With this purpose, samples of banquettes of P. oceanica from six different points of a touristic place located in the Murcia Region (S.E. of Spain) were collected in April 2012 on the same day directly from the beach above the water line, washed with distilled water and sun-dried for 48 h. Approximately 500 g of each sample of plant material was chopped and two subsamples of 200 g each were placed in airtight plastic containers and sent to the laboratory for mineral and chemical analysis. This report provides data on the nutritional composition of P. oceanica such as mineral contents (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) and chemical composition (ash, CP, ether extract (EE), NDF and ADF, respectively) and ADL. Finally, the in sacco rumen disappearance of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), CP and NDF were studied. Our results showed that minerals, except for Fe, where within the range of values reported for P. oceanica in other parts of the Mediterranean region. Given the high Fe content further studies assessing the antagonic Fe-Cu interaction and its effect on animal health should be addressed. In relation to chemical composition, it is clear that this seagrass is a poor protein source and has levels of DM degradability at 24 h, similar to those obtained for cereal straw. The information summarized here shows some potential for the use of banquettes of P. oceanica as forage source in ruminant nutrition.

Posidonia oceanica banquettes as a substitute for straw in dairy goat rations: metabolic and productive effects

“…Based on our previous results on the chemical composition of P. oceanica , the aim of the present study was to assess the effects of introducing P. oceanica as a substitute for straw in the feed of dairy goats on milk production and metabolism (blood metabolites, including oxidative stress).…”

“…With an annual yield of 35 million litres (some individuals have reached a mean milk production of about 1.3 kg day −1 over 305 days of lactation), the milk of Murciano-Granadina goats is characterised by a fat content of 5.4 g, a protein content of 3.6 g and a dry extract content of 14.5 g per 100 g and is considered highly suited for the production of different varieties of cheeses. 5 Based on our previous results on the chemical composition of P. oceanica, 3 the aim of the present study was to assess the effects of introducing P. oceanica as a substitute for straw in the feed of dairy goats on milk production and metabolism (blood metabolites, including oxidative stress).…”

Effects of Posidonia oceanica banquettes on intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and metabolic profiles in sheep

“…The chemical and nutrient properties of P. oceanica showed that this marine plant contains more ash and lignin fraction (ADL) than other traditional forage sources such as cereal straw or rye grass hay. Before starting the analysis of the different applied treatments and as we pointed out in the results section, we should discard the PO‐60% group.…”

“…The collection and management of the dried marine plant residues that were used as feedstuff was fully described in a previous report, as well as the chemical analysis of the product . Briefly, after permission for sampling from the local government, samples of banquettes of P. oceanica from six different points of the selected area were randomly collected on the same day directly from the beach above the water line, washed in a warehouse with distilled water and sun dried for 48 h. Approximately 500 g of each sample of plant material was chopped and two subsamples of 200 g each were placed in airtight plastic containers and sent to the laboratory for mineral and chemical analysis.…”

“…Based on our previous results on the chemical composition of P. oceanica , the main objective of the present study is to assess the effects of introducing this marine plant as a substitute for barley straw in the feed of ewes, first assessing the effects of its addition on intake, digestibility and ruminal fermentation and secondly assessing these effects on metabolic profiles (energy and protein balances).…”