Developing seaweed/macroalgae as feed for pigs

Description

Macroalgae are a promising source of nutritional ingredients including proteins, polysaccharides and minerals. The need to increase animal and feed production has increased interest in macroalgae as underutilised resources with promising applications as alternative animal feeds. This chapter summarizes the nutritional attributes of macroalgae in terms of macro and micronutrients as a source of protein and other compounds in pig nutrition. The benefits of macroalgae or macroalgal derived extracts in feed are discussed together with future trends and challenges in the development of effective feed formulations.

Table of contents

• 1 Introduction
• 2 Challenges in using macroalgae for feed applications
• 3 Composition of macroalgae
• 4 Biological functions and health-promoting effects of macroalgae and macroalgal-derived extracts in pig nutrition
• 5 Conclusion and future trends
• 6 Where to look for further information
• 7 Acknowledgements
• 8 References