Feed Conversion Rate, Growth Performance and Biological Effects of Azolla on Poultry and Livestock: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The rapid rise in soybean prices has necessitated a potential replacement protein source for animal feed. Azolla is a Salviniaceae duckweed with valuable properties that have captivated the public. Its abundance reduces feed costs, which account for the majority of overall production costs. The research on Azolla is extensive, but the efficiency as a potential feed for livestock and poultry is limited. Thus, there is an urgent need to study the efficacy of Azolla as feed materials. A systematic literature review was conducted to collect and analyze information on Azolla as feed materials. Following the Report Standards for Systematic Evidence Synthesis (ROSES) protocol, 13 studies (years 2000-2021) were extracted and reviewed from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. Three aspects were primarily highlighted to review the efficacy of using Azolla as feed: (1) feed conversion rate, (2) growth performance, and (3) biological effects on poultry and livestock. This study revealed that the efficacy and proportion of Azolla in feed vary by animal type. The findings offer greater information on current research directions on this subject.