Evaluation of a partially de-oiled microalgae product in nursery pig diets1

Abstract

Although microalgae can be used as a source of energy and macronutrients in pig diets, there is limited information on the use of partially de-oiled microalgae coproducts in swine feeding programs. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of a partially de-oiled microalgae extract (MAE) in nursery pig diets on growth performance and health status. A total of 300 pigs (initial BW = 6.3 ± 2.1 kg) were used in a 42-d experiment. Treatments included a standard corn-soybean meal control diet, and diets containing 1, 5, 10, or 20% MAE replacing primarily corn. The ME content of MAE was calculated from the chemical composition, and diets were formulated to meet or exceed nutrient requirements for nursery pigs. Pigs were stratified by weaning BW into 12 blocks in a randomized complete block design, with sex distributed evenly among blocks. Pens of pigs (5 pigs/pen) were assigned randomly within block to one of five dietary treatments. Pig BW and feed disappearance were recorded weekly. On day 42, 30 pigs were harvested and sections of the jejunum and ileum were collected for gut morphology analysis, and a liver sample was collected for metabolomic analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Data were analyzed by ANOVA with diet as treatment effect, and contrasts were used to test linear or quadratic effects of dietary MAE inclusion level. Overall, pigs fed 1% and 5% MAE had the greatest (quadratic P < 0.05) ADG, resulting from greater (quadratic P < 0.05) ADFI. There was a tendency for a greater number of pigs requiring injectable treatments (P = 0.16) and a greater mortality (P = 0.14) in pigs fed the control diet than pigs in any of the diets with the MAE. Final BW increased (P < 0.05) for pigs fed 1% and 5% MAE diets. The improvements in ADG were not explained by differences in mucosa height or goblet cell count among dietary treatments. Pigs fed diets containing 1% or 5% MAE had relatively less concentration (P < 0.05) of ammonia in the liver and had changes in metabolites associated with the urea cycle. In conclusion, feeding MAE resulted in increased growth responses and may have beneficial health effects when fed to nursery pigs.

Recent advances in the integrated biorefinery concept for the valorization of algal biomass through sustainable routes

“…They function as a rich source of food for the farming of finfish and crustaceans 9,179,180 . Currently, a study has revealed that the feeding of de‐oiled microalgae resulted in increased growth responses to nursery pigs 181 . A significant portion of global algal production (up to 30%) contributes to the feed industry 182 .…”

“…9,179,180 Currently, a study has revealed that the feeding of de-oiled microalgae resulted in increased growth responses to nursery pigs. 181 A significant portion of global algal production (up to 30%) contributes to the feed industry. 182 Arthrospira alone contributes about 50% of global production as a feed supplement 183 because of its tremendous dietary composition and high digestibility rate.…”

Influence of dietary Spirulina inclusion and lysozyme supplementation on the longissimus lumborum muscle proteome of newly weaned piglets

“…Current literature presents several results where the incorporation of small levels of microalgae increases animal performance, intestinal structure, and feed conversion, due to the promotion of beneficial bacteria in the gut, such as Lactobacillus [1]. Higher levels of incorporation, to supply major nutrients, have been reported with defatted microalgae biomass [11,12]. Ekmay et al [12] reported that the use of proteolytic enzymes improves the final weight of piglets fed with 10% Desmodesmus sp.…”