Effect of different dietary concentrations of brown marine algae (Sargassum dentifebium) prepared by different methods on plasma and yolk lipid profiles, yolk total carotene and lutein plus zeaxanthin of laying hens

Influence of Dietary Addition of Mineral Shungite and Fucus vesiculosus on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Nutrients Digestibility, and Immunity Status of Laying Hens

The main purpose of this study was to assess the impact of using the thermally modified mineral adsorbent shungite (MAS) and the dried seaweed meal Fucus vesiculosus (DSM) with different doses in Brown Nick cross laying hens' diet on their productivity, nutrient digestibility, morphological and blood profile, immunity status, and egg quality. A total of 261,720 hens were used in this experiment at the age of 63 weeks, and they were randomly divided into 5 groups (feeding program) with six repetitions of 8724 chickens in each. The first served (control) as a control group where laying hens were fed the basal diet that was used on the farm only; the second and the third groups represented MAS+ and MAS++, where they received the basal diet supplemented by 0.1% and 0.25% (or 1.0 kg/t and 2.5 kg/t of feed) of the mineral adsorbent shungite (MAS) which was provided in the feed in powder form (5 microns) and was added to the feed at the feed mill; the fourth and fifth groups represented DSM+ and DSM++, which received the basal diet provided with 0.1% and 0.25% (or 1.0 kg/t and 2.5 kg/t of feed) of dried seaweed meal of F. vesiculosus algae (DSM). The average egg weight over the entire period of the experiment revealed significant differences between the experimental groups and represented in the control group 65.20 vs. 66.88, 66.87 and 68.10 and 68.13 g in the MAS+ and MAS++, and DSM+ and DSM++ groups, respectively. Once the dried seaweed meal F. vesiculosus (DSM) was used, the crude protein increased significantly (p < 0.05) in egg yolk by 2.64 and 2.67%, carotenoids by 1.13 and 1.20 mg/g DM. The inclusion of both MAS and DSM feed additives revealed a significant decrease in the level of crude fat (lipids) in their liver when compared with the control group. The level of erythrocytes (RBCs) increased (p < 0.05) in the MAS+ and MAS++ and DSM+ and DSM++ groups when compared to the control group. Similarly, a significant increase was noted in hemoglobin when DSM was supplemented when compared to the control one. Moreover, the number of heterophils increased (p < 0.05) in groups of MAS and DSM when compared to the control group. The percentage of phagocytic activity increased significantly by 5.39, 6.90, and 7.18% in MAS++, DSM+, and DSM++, respectively, relative to the control group. On the other hand, the phagocytic number decreased (p < 0.05) by 1.15 and 1.12 conditional units in MAS+ and MAS++ and by 1.03 and 0.83 conditional units in DSM+ and DSM++ when compared to the control group, respectively. Consequently, the inclusion of thermally modified mineral adsorbent shungite and the dried seaweed meal F. vesiculosus with different doses in Brown Nick cross laying hen diets improves the egg weight and egg quality, crude protein, carotenoids and vitamin A in the egg mass, the utilization of lysine and methionine nutrients, hemoglobin content, immunity status, while decreases the incidence of fatty liver occurrence.

The effect of incorporating dietary green seaweed (Ulva sp.) on growth performance, blood parameters, and carcass and meat quality characteristics of Jumbo quail

Seaweeds are functional aquatic plants that can be used in Jumbo quail (Coturnix sp.) feeds as sources of phytochemicals and nutrients. However, no studies have investigated the feed value of green seaweed (Ulva sp.) meal (SM) for the Jumbo quail. Thus, the impact of different dietary inclusion levels of SM on productive traits, serum biochemistry, haematology, visceral organ sizes, carcass features, and meat quality attributes in Jumbo quail was investigated. In a completely randomised design, one-week-old quail (n = 385; 67.7 ± 3.44 g body weight) were allotted to five treatments, with seven replicate pens (experimental unit). The treatments were produced by including 0 (SM0), 20 (SM20), 40 (SM40), 60 (SM60) and 80 g/kg (SM80) of green SM in a commercial grower diet. Regression results showed no linear or quadratic effects (P > 0.05) to different levels of SM for average weekly feed intake, overall weight gain, haematological indices, internal organs, carcass features, and meat quality characteristics of the birds. However, incorporating SM up to 80 g/kg in the diet linearly reduced overall gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) [R2 = 0.282; P = 0.0001] and slaughter weights [R2 = 0.159; P = 0.026]. Treatment SM80 promoted (P < 0.05) higher feed intake than diet SM60 in weeks 3, 4 and 5, but were comparable to the control treatment in weeks 4 and 5. Birds fed with diets SM0 and SM20 had higher (P < 0.05) overall weight gain than birds fed with diet SM60. Diet SM80 resulted in lower (P < 0.05) overall G:F (0.250) than diet SM0 (0.277). Higher slaughter weights were observed on SM0 and SM20 groups than the SM60 group. We concluded that the use of dietary green SM up to 80 g/kg in Jumbo quail feeds compromises gain-to-feed ratio and slaughter weights but not physiological and meat quality attributes.

Dietary supplementation of spirulina and canthaxanthin boosts laying performance, lipid profile in blood and egg yolk, hatchability, and semen quality of chickens

This study examined the impacts of dietary spirulina (SP) and canthaxanthin (CX) supplementation to laying hens on reproductive performance and cock's semen quality evaluation. Three hundred and sixty of indigenous Sinai chickens (300 hens + 60 cocks), 48-weeks-old, were randomly divided into five treatments; a control and four supplemented (0.6 g SP mg/kg, 0.8 g SP mg/kg, 6 mg CX/kg diet, and 8 mg CX/kg diet) with six replications of 10 females and 1 male per treatment for laying trial and 1 male for semen evaluation. The animals were fed with experimental diets for 12 weeks. Supplementing 6 mg CX/kg diet led to an increase in the final body weight and egg production traits, while 8 mg CX/kg diet resulted in an improving feed conversion ratio. Supplementation of 0.6 g SP mg/kg or 6.0 mg CX/kg diet resulted in the highest egg production. The heaviest egg weight and egg mass were induced by 0.8 g SP mg/kg. Eggs laid from hens fed 0.6 g SP/kg diet had a higher concentration of cholesterol than those fed 0.8 g SP/kg and those fed 6.0 and 8.0 mg CX/kg. Cocks fed 6 mg CX/kg and those fed 0.8 g SP/kg diet had the greatest sperm concentration. The supplementation of 0.8 g SP mg/kg diet or both 6 and 8 mg CX/kg diet enhanced hatchability. So, dietary spirulina (0.8 mg/kg) and canthaxanthin (6 mg/kg) supplementation to Sinai laying hens and cocks could be used to improve productive and reproductive and performance.

Antioxidant effects of seaweeds and their active compounds on animal health and production - A Review

Natural antioxidants applied as feed additives can improve not only animals’ health and overall performance but also increase their resistance to environmental stress such as heat stress, bad housing conditions, diseases, etc. Marine organisms, for example seaweeds – red, brown, and green macroalgae contain a plethora of biologically active substances, including phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, pigments, vitamins, micro- and macroelements, and proteins known for their antioxidant activity, which can help in the maintenance of appropriate redox status in animals and show pleiotropic effects for enhancing good health, and productivity. The dysregulated production of free radicals is a marked characteristic of several clinical conditions, and antioxidant machinery plays a pivotal role in scavenging the excessive free radicals, thereby preventing and treating infections in animals. Supplementation of seaweeds to animal diet can boost antioxidant activity, immunity, and the gut environment. Dietary supplementation of seaweeds can also enhance meat quality due to the deposition of marine-derived antioxidant components in muscles. The use of natural antioxidants in the meat industry is a practical approach to minimize or prevent lipid oxidation. However, overconsumption of seaweeds, especially brown macroalgae, should be avoided because of their high iodine content. An important point to consider when including seaweeds in animal feed is their variable composition which depends on the species, habitat, location, harvest time, growing conditions such as nutrient concentration in water, light intensity, temperature, etc. This review highlights the beneficial applications of seaweeds and their extracted compounds, which have antioxidant properties as feed additives and impact animal health and production.

Marine Health-Promoting Compounds: Recent Trends for Their Characterization and Human Applications

Seaweeds represent a rich source of biologically active compounds with several applications, especially in the food, cosmetics, and medical fields. The beneficial effects of marine compounds on health have been increasingly explored, making them an excellent choice for the design of functional foods. When studying marine compounds, several aspects must be considered: extraction, identification and quantification methods, purification steps, and processes to increase their stability. Advanced green techniques have been used to extract these valuable compounds, and chromatographic methods have been developed to identify and quantify them. However, apart from the beneficial effects of seaweeds for human health, these natural sources of bioactive compounds can also accumulate undesirable toxic elements with potential health risks. Applying purification techniques of extracts from seaweeds may mitigate the amount of excessive toxic components, ensuring healthy and safer products for commercialization. Furthermore, limitations such as stability and bioavailability problems, chemical degradation reactions during storage, and sensitivity to oxidation and photo-oxidation, need to be overcome using, for example, nanoencapsulation techniques. Here we summarize recent advances in all steps of marine products identification and purification and highlight selected human applications, including food and feed applications, cosmetic, human health, and fertilizers, among others.

Effect of Pre-Treating Dietary Green Seaweed with Proteolytic and Fibrolytic Enzymes on Physiological and Meat Quality Parameters of Broiler Chickens

The use of seaweeds as nutraceuticals in chicken diets is limited by high fibre levels and low protein digestibility. Therefore, we tested the effect of pre-treating dietary seaweed (Ulva sp.) with a combination of protease and fibrolytic enzymes on physiological and meat quality parameters of Cobb 500 broilers. Five dietary treatments were formulated by including untreated (T1); fibrolytic (12 g/kg) enzyme-treated (T2); fibrolytic (12 g/kg) and protease (5 g/kg) enzyme-treated (T3); fibrolytic (12 g/kg) and protease (10 g/kg) enzyme-treated (T4); fibrolytic (12 g/kg) and protease (15 g/kg) enzyme-treated (T5) seaweed (35 g/kg) in a standard broiler diet. Three hundred, two-week-old chicks (239.3 ± 8.57 g live weight) were evenly distributed to 30 replicate pens to which the diets were then randomly allocated. Birds fed diet T1 had the highest feed intake (1144.5 g/bird). Neither linear nor quadratic trends were recorded for growth performance and carcass traits in response to protease pre-treatment levels. Gizzard weight linearly increased, while symmetric dimethylarginine, calcium, meat pH24, and hue angle24 quadratically responded to protease levels. Diet T1 promoted the lowest serum phosphorus levels (3.37 mmol/L). In conclusion, pre-treatment of seaweed with a combination of protease and fibrolytic enzymes did not improve diet utilization, physiological parameters, and meat quality in broilers.

Chemistry of Tropical Eucheumatoids: Potential for Food and Feed Applications

The use of seaweeds as additives in animal nutrition may be a valid option to traditional feed as they represent a rich source of minerals, carbohydrates and antioxidants. The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant capacity of two tropical eucheumatoids, Kappaphycus alvarezii and Kappaphycus striatus, in Malaysian wild offshore waters. The chemical analysis was performed via inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy for evaluating the concentration of toxic (Cd, Pb, Hg, As) and essential elements (Mn, Fe, Cu, Ni, Zn, Se); NMR spectroscopy was used for carrageenans investigation. Furthermore, the soluble and fat-soluble antioxidant capacities were determined by FRAP, DPPH and ABTS assays. The chemical analysis revealed a higher content of trace elements in K. alvarezii as compared to K. striatus, and both exhibited a high mineral content. No significant differences in metal concentrations were found between the two species. Both samples showed a mixture of prevailing κ- and t-carrageenans. Finally, the levels of soluble and fat-soluble antioxidants in K. alvarezii were significantly higher than in K. striatus. Our findings suggest that K. alvarezii could be used as a potential feed additive because of its favorable chemical and nutritional features.

Effects of Long-Term Supplementation with Brown Seaweeds and Polyphenols in Rabbit on Meat Quality Parameters

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dam and offspring dietary supplementation with a natural feed additive on the growth performance and meat quality parameters of growing rabbits. The growing rabbits are selected from lactating does receiving a control diet (C) or diets supplemented with 0.3% (SP1) and 0.6% (SP2) of feed additive containing brown seaweeds (Laminaria spp.) and plant extracts. In the postweaning phase, the growing rabbits remained in the treatment group defined by their does and the trial lasted 42 days. The average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were improved in the rabbit fed 0.6% of the natural feed additive. The cholesterol content tended to be lower in Longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle and decrease in Semimembranosus (SM) muscle (in SP2 -41.36% than controls). The α tocopherol and retinol content were enhanced in both muscles of rabbit fed the natural mixture (SP1 and SP2 groups). An improvement of sensory attributes of texture was observed in both muscles from rabbit fed natural mixture. In conclusion, long term supplementation of both lactating does and offspring with the high dosage of brown seaweed and plant polyphenols improves growth performance and enhances meat nutritional and sensory parameters.

Seaweeds, Intact and Processed, as a Valuable Component of Poultry Feeds

Poultry production is an important area of the agricultural economy. Nowadays, there is an interest in novel sources of feed additives that will improve production performance and poultry health. As an easily available and renewable biomass rich in biologically active compounds, seaweeds can meet this demand. Different forms of seaweeds–seaweed powder from naturally occurring biomass, cultivated or waste biomass, extracted compounds, post-extraction residues or liquid extracts–may be used in poultry feeding. Inclusion of this unconventional material in the poultry nutrition can positively influence the poultry performance along with its health and enrich poultry products with active compounds, such as micro- and macroelements, polyunsaturated fatty acids and pigments. Seaweeds also reduce lipids and cholesterol in eggs. Moreover, due to their unique properties, they can serve as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. This review presents the latest developments in the use of seaweeds in poultry nutrition, as well as its limitations.

Seaweed Potential in the Animal Feed: A Review

Seaweed (known as marine algae) has a tradition of being part of the animal feed in the coastal areas, from ancient times. Seaweeds, are mixed with animal feed, because when consumed alone can have negative impact on animals. Thus, seaweeds are very rich in useful metabolites (pigments, carotenoids, phlorotannins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, agar, alginate and carrageenan) and minerals (iodine, zinc, sodium, calcium, manganese, iron, selenium), being considered as a natural source of additives that can substitute the antibiotic usage in various animals. In this review, we describe the nutritional values of seaweeds and the seaweed effects in the seaweed-based animal feed/supplements.

A Review of the Varied Uses of Macroalgae as Dietary Supplements in Selected Poultry with Special Reference to Laying Hen and Broiler Chickens

Seaweeds comprise ca. 12,000 species. Global annual harvest is ca. 30.13 million metric tonnes, (valued ca. $11.7 billion USD in 2016) for various commercial applications. The growing scope of seaweed-based applications in food, agricultural fertilizers, animal feed additives, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care is expected to boost market demand. Agriculture and animal feed applications held the second largest seaweed market share in 2017, and the combined market is anticipated to reach much higher values by 2024 due to the impacts of current research and development targeting enhanced animal health and productivity. In general, seaweeds have been utilized in animal feed as a rich source of carbohydrates, protein, minerals, vitamins and dietary fibers with relatively well-balanced amino acid profiles and a unique blend of bioactive compounds. Worldwide, the animal nutrition market is largely driven by rising demand for poultry feeds, which represents ca. 47% of the total consumption for all animal nutrition. This review provides an overview of the utilization of specific seaweeds as sustainable feed sources for poultry production, including a detailed survey of seaweed-supplemented diets on growth, performance, gastrointestinal flora, disease, immunity and overall health of laying/broiler hens. Anti-microbial effects of seaweeds are also discussed.

Immunostimulatory and antioxidant effects of supplemental feeding with macroalga Sargassum spp. on goat kids

Algae are a rich source of bioactive compounds and health properties that have been narrowly explored in goat production systems. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of feeding diets supplemented with Sargassum spp. on antioxidant status and immune parameters in goat kids. The diets were as follows: control (basal diet without alga), Sargassum spp. 2.5% (Ss2.5), and Sargassum spp. 5% (S5) fed over a 70-day period. A total of 11 body tissues, intestinal mucus, and blood serum were sampled at necropsy. Protein content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), myeloperoxidase (MPO), lysozyme, and anti-protease activities were determined, as well as immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG). The results indicated that Sargassum spp. supplementation increased protein content in six tissues. Antioxidant activities (SOD and CAT) and immune-related (lysozyme, MPO, and anti-protease) activities were statistically higher (P < 0.05) in Sargassum spp. groups compared with control in several tissues, intestinal mucus, and serum. Imunoglobulin A levels in intestinal mucus were higher (P < 0.05) in Sargassum spp.-supplemented groups than the control group. In conclusion, diet supplementation of Sargassum spp. improves the antioxidant status and enhances the immune parameters in goats. Sargassum spp. dietary supplementation is proposed as strategy to strengthen antioxidant status and stimulate the immune system, which helps in the control of opportunistic pathogens in goats.

Biofortification of Hens Eggs with Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids by New Dietary Formulation: Supercritical Microalgal Extract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Spirulina platensis, formulation containing microalgal extract, post-extraction residue, and formulation without algal extract (containing only emulsifier) on the content of FAs in the eggs of laying hens. The experiment was conducted on 90 laying hens (ISA Brown) as a completely randomized design. Hens were assigned to five experimental groups (six replicates). The FAs content in eggs was determined after 30, 60, 90, and 120 days of the experiment. There were no statistically significant differences in FA profiles after 30 days of the experiment. It was shown that after 60, 90, and 120 days of the experiment, the investigated additives had a significant impact on the content of such acids as: dodecanoic acid (C12:0), C15:0, nonadecanoic acid (C19:0), myristoleic acid (C14:1 n-5), α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 n-3), DPA, C20:2 n-6, and decosahexaenoic acid (DHA C22:6 n-6). There were also significant differences in total PUFA n-3, PUFA n-6, and n-6/n-3 ratio in eggs. The obtained results suggest that the use of algae extract and emulsifier in laying hens nutrition has the greatest impact on the FA profile in the eggs.

Effects of whole plant brown algae (Laminaria japonica) on zootechnical performance, apparent total tract digestibility, faecal characteristics and blood plasma urea in weaned piglets

Two trials were conducted with 48 newly weaned piglets (28 d old) each 8.6 ± 0.05 kg to study how Laminaria japonica plants (LJ) affect zootechnical performance, feed conversion and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of crude nutrients. All basal diets consisted of cereals, soybean meal, skim milk powder and premixes according to recommendations (no growth promoters or enzymes). For Trial 1, piglets from 16 litters (50% male-castrated, 50% female) were assigned to three treatment groups (n = 16) in a completely randomised block design. Groups received either 2.5% supplementation with sun dried (SD) or drum dried (DD) LJ powder or 2.5% of diatomaceous earth (control). For Trial 2, piglets from 12 litters received either 5% of diatomaceous earth (control) or one of three mixtures of diatomaceous earth + DD LJ powder (3.3%+1.7%, 1.7%+3.3% or 0.0%+5%; n = 12). Data collection included zootechnical performance, faecal consistency, blood plasma urea (Trial 1 and 2) and ATTD (Trial 2). Metabolisable energy (ME) of DD LJ and diets in Trial 2 was estimated using digestible nutrients. Statistical analysis included two-way ANOVA (treatment, block) and mixed linear regression. During both trials, LJ at dosages ≥2.5% significantly reduced feed:gain ratio compared to control (p ≤ 0.0001, = 0.01 for Trial 1, Trial 2) irrespective of the drying method. ATTD from Trial 2 significantly increased digestibilities of dry matter (DM) and crude ash (CA) (p ≤ 0.01) and significantly decreased digestibilities of organic matter and crude fibre in animals fed ≥3.33% DD LJ (p = 0.01). Fractional digestibility of the DD LJ resulted in limited ME of ~9.3 ± 2.5 MJ/kg DM. Dietary conversion ratios of ME and digestible DM of DD LJ diets from Trial 2 decreased linearly with increasing algal supplementation (R2 = 0.93, 0.94 and pslope = 0.002, 0.002 for MCR, DCR). In conclusion, dried LJ powder was included up to 5% into diets without impairing zootechnical performance. The improved feed conversion in the presence of LJ was partly due to slightly higher ME within the algae diets compared to control. However, piglets receiving LJ during Trial 2 needed significantly lower dietary ME and digestible DM to maintain growth performance. Thus, LJ exerted a performance enhancing effect on weaned piglets. The precise mode-of-action is yet unclear.

Use of carotenoids in feed mixtures for poultry: a review

Carotenoids are present in ingredients of feed for poultry. Their content can be further increased by supplementation of feed mixtures with synthetic or natural carotenoids. The present paper recapitulates knowledge on the use of carotenoids in broiler chickens and laying hens, and deals with synthetic or natural carotenoids derived from plants. The review describes effects of carotenoids on productive performance, oxidative stability of poultry products, colouring of yolks and accumulation of carotenoids in yolks. There are several alternatives to synthetic carotenoids which are usable in poultry diets and satisfy the interest of consumers in poultry products free of undesirable side effects.