Identification of macroalgae from the West Coast of Sulawesi and potential utilization as ruminant feed sources

Abstract

The use of macroalgae as a ruminant feed is being widely developed due to its rich nutritional content and the presence of anti-methanogenic substances that may be able to reduce the formation of methane gas in ruminants. Macroalgae are cultivated and not cultivated; the species are diverse and grow in groups throughout Indonesian waters. This study aims to identify macro algae morphology that is easily found in the waters of the West Coast of Sulawesi and its potential use as a source of ruminant feed. Macro alga samples of cultivated and non-cultivated algae were collected from farmers and fishermen from the West Coast of Sulawesi, then continued with morphological identification. Several related articles and previous research obtained data regarding nutritional content using proximate analysis (protein, lipid and ash) and its potential use as a feed source. Research shows several macroalgae species that are easily found in the waters of the west coast of Sulawesi, namely macroalgae cultivated Gracilaria sp, Eucheuma denticulatum, Eucheuma cottonii, and Caulerpa sp. In contrast, the non-cultivated ones are Sargassum sp, Padina australis, Halymenia sp, Halimynea sp, and Caulerpa sp. Of the eight species, It is nutrient-rich and may be utilized as a source of feed for ruminants in the form of pure or extracts, but the proportion of macroalgae in the diet must be taken into account.