Addition of Wakame seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida) stalk to animal feed enhances immune response and improves intestinal microflora in pigs

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementation of Wakame seaweed stalks on the immunity and intestinal microflora of pigs. Three separate experiments were performed: Relatively young (start at 20–30 kg; Experiments 1 and 2) and fattening period (70 kg; Experiment 3). All pigs (including the control group) were fed the same commercial feed, free from antibiotic additives, but in the feed for the treatment groups, 1% seaweed powder was added. There were no group differences observed in daily weight gain and feed intake in Experiments 1 and 2 between groups; however, daily weight gain was significantly higher in the treatment group compared to the control group in Experiment 3. The percentage of peripheral blood natural killer cells of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group in all experiments. Although addition of seaweed changed the gene expression of cytokine and toll‐like receptors of the small intestinal Peyer's patches slightly, seaweed seems to alter intestinal microflora preferentially, for instance, there was an increase in Lactobacillus and a decrease of Escherichia coli observed. These results suggest that Wakame seaweed can be used as supplement for pig feed to improve the gut health and immunity of pigs.

Seaweed for climate mitigation, wastewater treatment, bioenergy, bioplastic, biochar, food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics: a review

“…The direct addition of seaweed biomass into animal feed can also improve the livestock's health and growth and the subsequent meat quality. Supplementing Undaria pinnatifida into swine feed improved the total immune response via regulating the toll-like receptor genes and cytokines, in addition to modulating the intestinal microflora to promote the beneficial Lactobacillus bacteria and reduce Escherichia coli consortium (Shimazu et al 2019 ). The effects of feeding seaweeds to various animal species will be discussed in depth.…”

A Retrospective Review of Global Commercial Seaweed Production—Current Challenges, Biosecurity and Mitigation Measures and Prospects

“…Seaweed supplementation in livestock, poultry, and aquaculture feed has been practiced for decades and has shown tremendous improvements in animal health and meat quality and in reducing methane emissions of cattles [ 30 ]. For instance, the addition of brown algae Undaria pinnatifida and Ascophyllum nodosum in the diet of pigs and sheep improves the animals’ intestinal health, while the incorporation of red algae Eucheuma denticulatum in fishmeal improves the meat quality of Japanese flounders by increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in the muscles [ 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Seaweed extract is commercialized as plant biostimulants as well.…”

Pharmacological Applications and Action Mechanisms of Phytochemicals as Alternatives to Antibiotics in Pig Production

“…Additionally, bamboo vinegar powder has positive effects on promoting the abundance of Lactobacillus and Thalassospira and on inhibiting Streptococcus and Prevotella growth ( 98 ). 1% Wakame seaweed powder maybe alter intestinal microflora preferentially, namely, which are observed that an increase in Lactobacillus and a decrease of Escherichia coli to improve the gut health and immunity of pigs ( 99 ). Feeding the diet supplemented with dried Jerusalem artichoke (DJA) tubers, as a source of inulin-type fructans, affects the microbiota activity in the large intestine by decreasing proteolytic fermentation and detrimental bacterial enzyme activity.…”