Red and green macroalgae for fish and animal feed and human functional food development

Abstract

Cereal and plant proteins are used frequently in the manufacture of animal, fish and human food products but are often deficient in essential amino acids. In contrast, macroalgal proteins contain all the essential amino acids and are a rich source of other bioactives including taurine, lipids, carotenoids and pigments. Furthermore, macroalgal proteins are a substrate for bioactive peptides generation. This paper discusses macroalgal bioactives and their potential use in fish, animal and human nutrition and health. Issues including their safe use, sustainability of supply, efficient drying and processing methods and novel extraction technologies are discussed as well as legislation issues.

Seaweed as a protein source for mono-gastric livestock

“…We acknowledge this contradicts the accepted paradigm that many seaweeds have a high concentration of protein with high proportions of essential amino acids (Fleurence, 1999;Fleurence et al, 2012;Garcia-Vaquero & Hayes, 2015). However, protein concentration calculated for seaweeds are often overestimated by the use of the animal-based 6.25 N-toprotein conversion factor, and more accurately should be determined using a N-to-protein factor of 5.0 (Angell, Mata, de Nys, & Paul, 2016).…”

Marine macroalgae as sources of protein and bioactive compounds in feed for monogastric animals

“…The protein content of brown macroalgae is generally low (usually below 150 g kg −1 of dry matter (DM)), whereas green macroalgae, and especially red macroalgae, have a higher protein content on a DM basis . Some red macroalgae, such as Porphyra spp., have protein levels comparable to soybean meal, for example …”

“…After drying and milling to a fine powder, macroalgae are traditionally used as seaweed meal in compound animal feed on a total biomass basis . Oven drying by fossil energy is energy intensive and costly, and other technologies may be applied . Recent research has shown that the addition of dilute hydrochloric acid reduces the stickiness of the biomass, rendering it suitable for dewatering by screw‐pressing, and the pH reduction may facilitate efficient preservation.…”

“…Increasing competition for land, water and energy, and fully exploited capture fisheries emphasize the urgent need for sustainable feed ingredients developed from under‐utilized renewable natural resources that do not compete with human food. The use of different marine macroalgae (seaweed) as a supplementary feed resource in animal production has a long history . The advantages over terrestrial biomass include high growth rate, potential cultivation in saltwater, and no requirements for arable land or industrial fertilization.…”

Extraction and Yield Optimisation of Fucose, Glucans and Associated Antioxidant Activities from Laminaria digitata by Applying Response Surface Methodology to High Intensity Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction

“…Marine macroalgae are considered a rich source of micro- and macronutrients with antioxidant activities, i.e., minerals, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, proteins and polysaccharides [1]. …”