Emerging microalgal feed additives for ruminant production and sustainability

Abstract

The global demand for animal-derived foods has led to a substantial expansion in ruminant production, which has raised concerns regarding methane emissions. To address these challenges, microalgal species that are nutritionally-rich and contain bioactive compounds in their biomass have been explored as attractive feed additives for ruminant livestock production. In this review, we discuss the different microalgal species used for this purpose in recent studies, and review the effects of microalgal feed supplements on ruminant growth, performance, health, and product quality, as well as their potential contributions in reducing methane emissions. We also examine the potential complexities of adopting microalgae as feed additives in the ruminant industry.

Keywords

Microalgae / Feed additives / Ruminant production / Animal health / Growth performance / Methane emissions

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Funding

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada; Canada Research Chairs; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; China Scholarship Council