Evaluating the Potential of Marine Algae as Sustainable Ingredients in Poultry Feed

Algae are a complex source of crucial nutrients, including proteins, minerals, vitamins, and carbohydrates. The use of marine algae, specifically <i>Sargassum</i> species, <i>Gracilaria</i> species, and <i>Spirulina</i> species, as feed ingredients in poultry feed...

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Main Authors: Hanan S. Al-Khalaifah, Afaf Y. Al-Nasser
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Agriculture
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/11/1889
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author Hanan S. Al-Khalaifah
Afaf Y. Al-Nasser
author_facet Hanan S. Al-Khalaifah
Afaf Y. Al-Nasser
author_sort Hanan S. Al-Khalaifah
collection DOAJ
description Algae are a complex source of crucial nutrients, including proteins, minerals, vitamins, and carbohydrates. The use of marine algae, specifically <i>Sargassum</i> species, <i>Gracilaria</i> species, and <i>Spirulina</i> species, as feed ingredients in poultry feed was examined in the current research. This study’s aims were to carry out lipid profiling, proximate analysis, and heavy metal toxicity testing, as well as to evaluate the presence of hazardous hydrocarbons in the algae and investigate the effect of the fatty acid profile of <i>Sargassum</i> species on broilers. The proximate analysis was conducted on the algae types containing considerable quantities of fats and proteins and a sizable quantity of omega-3 fatty acids. This research assessed the productive effectiveness of broilers with 2.5%, 6%, and 10% algal additions in their diet. Fatty acid profiling of <i>Sargassum</i> species was performed at 1% and 2% levels in the bursa, fat pads, heart, liver, spleen, thymus, thighs, and breast. The findings showed no significant differences in the development performance or feed utilization efficiency of broilers with 2.5%, 6%, and 10% algae supplementation in their diet. The results of fatty acid profiling showed changes in the heart, liver, and spleen at 1% and 2% supplementations levels. However, this research concludes that if algae partially replaces the imported feed proteins used in animal feed, then these can achieve maximum beneficial effects on poultry health and performance. Algae are sustainable, easy to produce, and cost-effective sources of nutrients and contain numerous bioactive compounds, which will contribute to sustainability and food safety.
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spelling doaj-art-727eb56f474244d68911ea8eeb06d70e2025-08-20T01:53:37ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722024-10-011411188910.3390/agriculture14111889Evaluating the Potential of Marine Algae as Sustainable Ingredients in Poultry FeedHanan S. Al-Khalaifah0Afaf Y. Al-Nasser1Food Security Program, Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, Safat 13109, KuwaitFood Security Program, Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, Safat 13109, KuwaitAlgae are a complex source of crucial nutrients, including proteins, minerals, vitamins, and carbohydrates. The use of marine algae, specifically <i>Sargassum</i> species, <i>Gracilaria</i> species, and <i>Spirulina</i> species, as feed ingredients in poultry feed was examined in the current research. This study’s aims were to carry out lipid profiling, proximate analysis, and heavy metal toxicity testing, as well as to evaluate the presence of hazardous hydrocarbons in the algae and investigate the effect of the fatty acid profile of <i>Sargassum</i> species on broilers. The proximate analysis was conducted on the algae types containing considerable quantities of fats and proteins and a sizable quantity of omega-3 fatty acids. This research assessed the productive effectiveness of broilers with 2.5%, 6%, and 10% algal additions in their diet. Fatty acid profiling of <i>Sargassum</i> species was performed at 1% and 2% levels in the bursa, fat pads, heart, liver, spleen, thymus, thighs, and breast. The findings showed no significant differences in the development performance or feed utilization efficiency of broilers with 2.5%, 6%, and 10% algae supplementation in their diet. The results of fatty acid profiling showed changes in the heart, liver, and spleen at 1% and 2% supplementations levels. However, this research concludes that if algae partially replaces the imported feed proteins used in animal feed, then these can achieve maximum beneficial effects on poultry health and performance. Algae are sustainable, easy to produce, and cost-effective sources of nutrients and contain numerous bioactive compounds, which will contribute to sustainability and food safety.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/11/1889algaefood securitynutritionproximate analysischickenprotein
spellingShingle Hanan S. Al-Khalaifah
Afaf Y. Al-Nasser
Evaluating the Potential of Marine Algae as Sustainable Ingredients in Poultry Feed
Agriculture
algae
food security
nutrition
proximate analysis
chicken
protein
title Evaluating the Potential of Marine Algae as Sustainable Ingredients in Poultry Feed
title_full Evaluating the Potential of Marine Algae as Sustainable Ingredients in Poultry Feed
title_fullStr Evaluating the Potential of Marine Algae as Sustainable Ingredients in Poultry Feed
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating the Potential of Marine Algae as Sustainable Ingredients in Poultry Feed
title_short Evaluating the Potential of Marine Algae as Sustainable Ingredients in Poultry Feed
title_sort evaluating the potential of marine algae as sustainable ingredients in poultry feed
topic algae
food security
nutrition
proximate analysis
chicken
protein
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/11/1889
work_keys_str_mv AT hanansalkhalaifah evaluatingthepotentialofmarinealgaeassustainableingredientsinpoultryfeed
AT afafyalnasser evaluatingthepotentialofmarinealgaeassustainableingredientsinpoultryfeed