NEW PROTEINS ▶▶▶
Seaweed from marine waters for animal nutrition
The increasing demand for animal protein by the growing world population is intensifying the exploration of novel feed sources. A study evaluated the nutritional value of six intact seaweed species collected from the coast of Ireland, Scotland and France as an ingredient for animal feed.
BY NATALIE BERKHOUT, FREELANCE JOURNALIST T
he extension of marine biomass production by wild harvesting and large-scale cultivation of seaweed could significantly contribute to biomass production for feed as well as food. The advantages of seaweed
production are the use of salt instead of fresh water, sea in- stead of arable land, and high productivity in terms of bio- mass produced per unit of surface area. The chemical composition of 13 different samples of six sea- weed species classified as brown, red and green seaweeds re- vealed large variations between and within species, depend- ing on, for example, harvest season, geographical characteristics and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of intact seaweeds obtained from coastal waters in Northwest Europe as a source of macro-nutrients for use in animal feeds − and its variation. The six seaweed species chosen were the brown species Sac- charina latissima, Laminaria digitata, and Ascophyllum nodos- sum, the red species Palmaria palmata and Chondrus crispus, and the green species Ulva lactuca.
Variable nutrient content The nutrient content (g/kg dry matter), both between and within species, was highly variable, ranging from 45 – 248 for crude protein, 351- 691 for non-starch polysaccharides, and 173 – 445 for ash. Overall, the brown seaweeds had the high- est non-starch polysaccharides content, whereas samples of the red and green seaweeds had an amino acid content up to 265 g/kg dry matter. All samples had a substantial non-pro- tein nitrogen fraction, varying from 0.12 to 0.29 of nitrogen. The fibre fractions of brown seaweeds had different proper- ties to land-based plants, as illustrated by a lower analysed neutral detergent fibre than acid detergent fibre content. The
ileal organic matter and nitrogen digestibility, as well as the total tract organic matter digestibility were lower for all seaweeds when compared to soybean meal. S. latissima, L digitata, P. palmata and U. lactuca produced more gas than alfalfa, but less than sugar beet pulp. Based on the protein content and amino acid pattern, intact P. palmata and U. lactuca would be a valuable protein source for farm animals, with their high non-starch polysaccharides and non-protein nitrogen content, but the fact that they are low in in vitro digestibility potential limits their use as a feed in- gredient for monogastric species. The fermentability of L. dig- itata, S. latissima and P. palmata indicate that these intact sea- weeds may have a higher nutritional value in ruminants. The high ash content in all seaweed species hampers the use of intact seaweed for both ruminants and monogastrics. Extrac- tion of protein and other favourable components, while reducing the ash content, is an important step towards including seaweed in animal diets.
This study, which was published on Science Direct, was conduct- ed by P. Biller, L. Stokvis, M.M. van Krimpen, P.G. van Wikselaar and J.W. Cone at Wageningen University & Research.
▶ ALL ABOUT FEED | Volume 28, No. 10, 2020 25
The nutrient content, both between and within species, is highly variable.
PHOTO: PEXELS BY PIXABAY
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