9
Microalgae for Feed
Vítor Verdelho,
1,2,
* João Navalho
1,2
and Ana P. Carvalho
1,3
Introduction
World population growth and the concomitant increasing average standard of living have created an
exponential demand for animal food products; therefore, it is vital that the feed industry can respond to
this challenge in a sustainable and safe way.
Microalgae can play an important role in feed industry as several species present unique and interesting
biochemical properties, when compared with higher plants, which place microalgae as priority ingredient
candidates. Furthermore, microalgal biomass can be daily harvested all year around, and cultivated in
controlled conditions, thus providing a raw material free of organic or chemical contaminants, that is,
safe. The actual challenge is to “domesticate” these organisms, as has been done with higher plants, in
order to manage their large-scale production for feeds.
This chapter aims to bring together the most relevant information on microalgae for feed production
and thus promote the management of knowledge necessary to accelerate the development of microalgal
feeds.
Using microalgae as feed ingredients
The survival, growth, productivity, and fertility of animals are a reflection of their health. Feed quality is
the most important exogenous factor influencing animal health, especially in connection with intensive
breeding conditions and the trend to avoid chemical products such as antibiotics (Pulz and Gross 2004).
Microalgae possess various properties that may play an important role in many aspects of animal daily
lives, from simple nutrition to health maintenance (Sweetman 2009). Due to their metabolic flexibility
they are able to, until a certain limit, modulate their chemical composition, thus providing a specifically
targeted source of unique compounds (Carvalho et al. 2009). Due to this enlarged portfolio of possible
compositions, microalgae products may have a role as functional ingredients (products incorporated in
1
A4F_S.A. • design, build, operate, and transfer microalgae plants • www.a4f.pt; Campus do Lumiar, Edifício E - R/C,
Estrada do Paço do Lumiar, 1649-038 Lisboa, PORTUGAL.
2
NECTON, Companhia Portuguesa de Culturas Marinhas, S.A., P-8700-152 Olhão, PORTUGAL.
Email: jnavalho@necton.pt
3
REQUIMTE/LAQV–ISEP, Porto Polytechnic Institute, Rua Dr, António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, P-4249-015 Porto,
PORTUGAL.
Email: ana.p.santos.carvalho@gmail.com
* Corresponding author: vvv@a4f.pt
Microalgae for Feed
Vítor Verdelho,
1,2,
* João Navalho
1,2
and Ana P. Carvalho
1,3
Introduction
World population growth and the concomitant increasing average standard of living have created an
exponential demand for animal food products; therefore, it is vital that the feed industry can respond to
this challenge in a sustainable and safe way.
Microalgae can play an important role in feed industry as several species present unique and interesting
biochemical properties, when compared with higher plants, which place microalgae as priority ingredient
candidates. Furthermore, microalgal biomass can be daily harvested all year around, and cultivated in
controlled conditions, thus providing a raw material free of organic or chemical contaminants, that is,
safe. The actual challenge is to “domesticate” these organisms, as has been done with higher plants, in
order to manage their large-scale production for feeds.
This chapter aims to bring together the most relevant information on microalgae for feed production
and thus promote the management of knowledge necessary to accelerate the development of microalgal
feeds.
Using microalgae as feed ingredients
The survival, growth, productivity, and fertility of animals are a reflection of their health. Feed quality is
the most important exogenous factor influencing animal health, especially in connection with intensive
breeding conditions and the trend to avoid chemical products such as antibiotics (Pulz and Gross 2004).
Microalgae possess various properties that may play an important role in many aspects of animal daily
lives, from simple nutrition to health maintenance (Sweetman 2009). Due to their metabolic flexibility
they are able to, until a certain limit, modulate their chemical composition, thus providing a specifically
targeted source of unique compounds (Carvalho et al. 2009). Due to this enlarged portfolio of possible
compositions, microalgae products may have a role as functional ingredients (products incorporated in
1
A4F_S.A. • design, build, operate, and transfer microalgae plants • www.a4f.pt; Campus do Lumiar, Edifício E - R/C,
Estrada do Paço do Lumiar, 1649-038 Lisboa, PORTUGAL.
2
NECTON, Companhia Portuguesa de Culturas Marinhas, S.A., P-8700-152 Olhão, PORTUGAL.
Email: jnavalho@necton.pt
3
REQUIMTE/LAQV–ISEP, Porto Polytechnic Institute, Rua Dr, António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, P-4249-015 Porto,
PORTUGAL.
Email: ana.p.santos.carvalho@gmail.com
* Corresponding author: vvv@a4f.pt