Dietary supplementation of finishing pigs with the docosahexaenoic acid-rich microalgae, Aurantiochytrium limacinum: effects on performance, carcass characteristics and tissue fatty acid profile

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich microalgae, Aurantiochytrium limacinum (AURA) on pig performance, carcass traits, and the fatty acid composition of pork Longissimus lumborum (LL) and backfat.MethodsA total of 144 Pig Improvement Company (PIC)×Goland finishing pigs (72 females and 72 castrated males) of mean weight 117.1 (±13.1) kg were blocked by sex and body weight and provided with 0% or 1% AURA in isonutritive and isocaloric diets. A total of 24 pens provided 12 replicates per treatment. Animals were weighed on day 0 and 28 with feed and water intake recorded per pen. After 31 days supplementation (28 days of study and 3 days until the slaughtering date) three animals per pen (n = 72) were slaughtered and the LL and backfat thickness, lean meat content and dressing percentage were recorded for the carcasses. The fatty acid (FA) profile of the LL and backfat was established by direct FA methyl ester synthesis.ResultsNo differences were observed for any performance parameters or carcass traits. Supplementation with AURA resulted in significant changes to the FA profiles of both the LL and backfat with male and female pigs responding differently to supplementation in terms of particular FAs. Overall, pork LL samples had significantly higher eicosapentaenoic acid (p<0.001) and DHA concentrations (p<0.001), and higher omega-3 (n-3) FAs (p<0.001), as well as an increased omega3:omega6 (n-3:n-6) ratio (p = 0.001). For backfat, supplementation resulted in significantly higher amounts of DHA (p<0.001) and n-3 FAs (p<0.001).ConclusionThese results indicate that dietary supplementation with 1% AURA over a 31 day period can increase the FA composition of pork LL and backfat, specifically the DHA, with no major impact on growth performance and carcass traits.

Effects of long‐term microalgae supplementation on muscle microstructure, meat quality and fatty acid composition in growing pigs

“…The inclusion of microalgae in farm animal diets represents a promising alternative to vegetable oils/meals/press cakes from linseed, rapeseed or sunflower seeds supplements (Madeira et al, ; Moran, Morlacchini, Keegan, & Fusconi, ; Vossen, Raes, Van Mullem, & De Smet, ). Specifically, n‐3 PUFA‐rich vegetable‐based diet supplements contain α‐linolenic acid (C18:3n‐3) as a precursor for the n‐3 LC‐PUFA DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n‐3, EPA).…”

“…The inclusion of microalgae in pig diets improves animal growth, for example, average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion rate and meat quality; however, the results are highly dependent on microalgae species, their proportions and the chemical composition used (Madeira et al, ; Sardi, Martelli, Lambertini, Parisini, & Mordenti, ). A dietary inclusion of 1% microalgae ( Aurantiochytrium limacinum ) in finishing pigs revealed no effects on ADG, average daily feed intake (ADFI), gain–feed ratio and carcass traits (Moran et al, ). In diets with 0.2%–2% algae supplementation ( Arthrospira platensis ), only minimal improvements in pig growth performance, body weight or hot carcass weight were reported (Grinstead, Tokach, Dritz, Goodband, & Nielssen, ).…”

Tolerance of Broilers to Dietary Supplementation with High Levels of the DHA-Rich Microalga, Aurantiochytrium Limacinum: Effects on Health and Productivity

“…has been shown to increase the DHA content of broiler meat [ 13 ], while maintaining consumer acceptability without reducing shelf life [ 14 ]. Aurantiochytrium limacinum, a related microalgae, when grown heterotrophically on a low-sodium medium has also been shown to increase the DHA content of cows’ milk [ 15 , 16 ], of pig muscle tissue [ 17 , 18 ], and hens’ eggs [ 19 ].…”

Analytical Method Assessment for the Determination of DHA and Fatty Acids Present in Unextracted &lt;i&gt;Aurantiochytrium limacinum&lt;/i&gt; Biomass

“…The algal subject of this paper, Aurantiochytrium limacinum is a microalgae that has been shown to increase the DHA content of milk [15] [16], of pig muscle tissue [17] [18], broiler [19] and of laying hen eggs [20] when supplemented to the animal diets.…”