May 6, 2014

Potential of defatted microalgae to replace corn, soymeal

According to a review published in the Journal of Animal Science, defatted microalgae from the biofuel industry may replace some of the corn and soybean used for swine and poultry.

While feeding livestock with microalgae had been investigated many decades ago, research has been brought back by the recent exploration of microalgae as the third generation of feedstocks for biofuel production. As the resultant defatted biomass contains high levels of protein and other nutrients, it may replace a portion of corn and soybean meal in animal diets.

Full-fat and defatted microalgal biomass from biofuel production research (Cellana, Kailua-Kona, HI) that contain 13.9 to 38.2% crude protein and 1.5 to 9.3% crude fat were used in the research discussed in the review.

Based on their responses of growth performance, egg production and quality, plasma and tissue biochemical indicators, and/or faecal chemical composition, all three types of animals - weaning pigs, broiler chicks and layers - were able to tolerate the microalgal biomass incorporation into their diets at 7.5%.

The review also explored the global potential of using the defatted microalgal biomass as a new feed ingredient in offsetting the biofuel production cost, reducing the dependence on staple crops such as corn and soybeans, and decreasing greenhouse gas production of animal agriculture.