Many algae spe- cies have a high protein content and can be ben- eficial for the fatty acid and amino acid com- position of the eggs.
as good or even better, which makes the algae solid candi- dates as alternative protein sources. In addition, previous re- search has shown that algae can also have antibacterial, anti- viral and/or anti-oxidative effects. Some algae are also rich in omega-three fatty acids and may contain vitamins and/or pigments such as chlorophyll and carotenoids, which can help influence the colour of egg yolks.”
You need to process the algae residues In the press release ILVO stated that the first results of the feed trails show that the residual flows cannot be added to the chicken feed without further processing. “It’s necessary to process these algae residues in a way that reduces the salt and mineral content to less than 10%, by washing them with fresh water and drying them. Without this treatment, the chickens’ digestion could be disrupted,” says Marta Lourenço, poultry researcher at ILVO, “resulting in less efficient protein and energy utilisation. Further research should show wheth- er other processing techniques are needed. The focus of the feeding trials within the ValgOrize project is on poultry, due to the small amounts of residual flows available and the fact that chickens react quickly to changes in feed composition, explains ILVO. Previous studies have also shown that there is potential for feeding pigs and dairy cattle. However, these results were not always unequivocal. In pigs, for example, the algae were used as alternative sources of protein, but the results in terms of growth of the pigs and fertility of the
Table 1 – Composition of certain types of microalgae, compared more conventional European feed sources.
Source Soy beans
Crude protein Carbohydrates 37
Corn 10 Wheat 14 Anabaena cylindrica Arthrospira maxima
(Spirulina) Chlorella vulgaris Spirogyra sp.
30 85 84
43-56 60-71
51-58 6-20
25-30 13-16
12-16 33-64
Fat 20 4 2
4-7 6-7
14-22 11-21
boars varied. In some studies in dairy cattle, an increase in milk production and an altered amino acid composition were observed. These results are promising, but require further research.
The ValgOrize project This project was established to promote algae as food for hu- mans in Europe. Within the project several studies are taking place, with an emphasis on taste, sustainability, market re- search and cultivation. The project brings together eleven partners from Belgium, the Netherlands, France and the UK.
▶ ALL ABOUT FEED | Volume 28, No. 6, 2020 15
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
