Microalgal-based feed:promising alternative feedstocks for livestock and poultry production

摘要

There is an immediate need to identify alternative sources of high-nutrient feedstocks for domestic livestock productionand poultry,not only to support growing food demands but also to produce microalgae-source functional foods withmultiple health benefits.Various species of microalgae and cyanobacteria are used to supplement existing feedstocks.Inthis review,microalgae have been defined as a potential feedstock for domestic animals due to their abundance ofproteins,carbohydrates,lipids,minerals,vitamins,and other high-value products.Additionally,the positive physiologicaleffects on products of animals fed with microalgal biomass have been compiled and recommendations are listed toenhance the assimilation of biomolecules in ruminant and nonruminant animals,which possess differing digestivesystems.Furthermore,the role of microalgae as prebiotics is also discussed.With regards to large scale cultivation ofmicroalgae for use as feed,many economic trade-offs must be considered such as the selection of strains with desirednutritional properties,cultivation systems,and steps for downstream processing.These factors are highlighted withfurther investigations needed to reduce the overall costs of cultivation.Finally,this review outlines the pros and cons ofutilizing microalgae as a supplementary feedstock for poultry and cattle,existing cultivation strategies,and theeconomics of large-scale microalgal production.