Potential and Limitation of a New Defatted Diatom Microalgal Biomass in Replacing Soybean Meal and Corn in Diets for Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Three experiments were conducted to determine if defatted diatom Staurosira sp. biomass (DFA) (Cellana, Kailua-Kona, HI, USA) from biofuel production could replace a portion of soybean meal (SBM) and (or) corn in diets for broiler chicks. In experiment 1, 2-day-old chicks were fed diets with DFA at 0% (control), 7.5% replacing SBM, or 7.5 and 10% replacing SBM and corn. Chicks fed the DFA-containing diets had lower body weight gain (P < 0.05) than the controls in the starter period. Two follow-up experiments, experiments 2 and 3, indicated that supplementing the 7.5% DFA diet (replacing SBM) with amino acids, but not exogenous protease or electrolytes, restored growth performance of chicks to the control levels. Responses of plasma and liver biomarkers and gross examination of digestive tract showed no toxicity of DFA. In conclusion, DFA could substitute for 7.5% of SBM alone, or in combination with corn, in diets for broiler chicks when appropriate amino acids are added.

Improving the Dietary Protein Quality by Amino Acid Fortification with a High Inclusion Level of Micro Algae (&lt;i&gt;Spirulina platensis&lt;/i&gt;) or Insect Meal (&lt;i&gt;Hermetia illucens&lt;/i&gt;) in Meat Type Chicken Diets

“…These observations are in agreement with Austic et al [13] who demonstrated that growing chickens grew slower (0-3 weeks of age) and had lower feed efficiency (0 -6 weeks of age) when SBM was partly substituted by 7.5% Staurosira sp. at a basic level of AA supplementation.…”

“…However, an inclusion rate higher than 20% of the overall diet can result in depressed growth rates, but up to 15% inclusion is well tolerated in chicken diets [11] [12]. Austic et al [13] reported when SBM was replaced with the microalga Staurosira sp., 7.5% of overall diet, with a basic AA supplementation, decreased growth during the first three weeks of age and feed efficiency during 0 -6 weeks of age could be observed. However, when diets were adequately supplemented with an extended level of indispensable AAs (Met, Lys, Arg, Ile, Thr, Trp, Val) the performance data were similar to those of the control group.…”

Dual potential of microalgae as a sustainable biofuel feedstock and animal feed

“…Although the use of whole microalgae in animal diets has long been studied, dating as far back as in the 1950’s, only recent literature has shown attempts to supplement lipid-extracted microalgae in animal diets [12,24]. Initially, researchers sought out methods to culture algae in ponds, and the developments of which were quickly followed by studies on algae supplementation into animal diets as a protein source [25,26].…”

“…In fact, our laboratory has recently demonstrated that the de-fatted biomass of Staurospira sp . with 19% crude protein replaced 7.5% of corn and soybean meal without affecting the growth performance or health status of broiler chickens [12]. Notably, the dual application of microalgae as a new source of biofuel and animal feed will help alleviate the greenhouse effects associated with current energy and food production.…”

Sustainable production of toxin free marine microalgae biomass as fish feed in large scale open system in the Qatari desert

“…Nutritional value of some the studied microalgae have shown that the intrinsic proteins are of high quality and are equal, sometimes superior in quality compared to common vegetable proteins (Austic et al, 2013;Becker, 2007;Hemaiswarya et al, 2011). In addition to protein, microalgae have other cell compounds like carbohydrate (mostly simple sugars), lipids, peptides, pigments, vitamins, minerals and trace elements (Brown et al, 1997;González López et al, 2010).…”