<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Recently, microalgae, natural marine resources, have gained increasing interests as a feed for animals. <italic>Chlorella vulgaris</italic> microalgae are single-cell microorganisms that have been used to provide nutrition to humans and animals for centuries. In the present review, we unveil the composition and nutritive value of <italic>C. vulgaris</italic> microalgae as a feed for ruminants. Research has shown that inclusion of <italic>C. vulgaris</italic> microalgae in diets improved feed utilization, milk production and quality, growth performance, and meat quality in ruminants, as a result of improved diet nutritive value. Very low doses of <italic>C. vulgaris</italic> in feed enhance growth and lactational performance of ruminants. Additionally, <italic>C. vulgaris</italic> showed very promising results as an alternative to corn and soybean meal; however, it is an expensive protein feed. Therefore, the main constraint to use of <italic>C. vulgaris</italic> as a feedstuff is its high cost of production, making improvement of cultivation technology to reduce the production costs a critical issue in the near future.</p>
</abstract>

Recently, microalgae, natural marine resources, have gained increasing interests as a feed for animals. Chlorella vulgaris microalgae are single-cell microorganisms that have been used to provide nutrition to humans and animals for centuries. In the present review, we unveil the composition and nutritive value of C. vulgaris microalgae as a feed for ruminants. Research has shown that inclusion of C. vulgaris microalgae in diets improved feed utilization, milk production and quality, growth performance, and meat quality in ruminants, as a result of improved diet nutritive value. Very low doses of C. vulgaris in feed enhance growth and lactational performance of ruminants. Additionally, C. vulgaris showed very promising results as an alternative to corn and soybean meal; however, it is an expensive protein feed. Therefore, the main constraint to use of C. vulgaris as a feedstuff is its high cost of production, making improvement of cultivation technology to reduce the production costs a critical issue in the near future.

<italic>Chlorella vulgaris</italic> microalgae in Ruminant Nutrition: a Review of the Chemical Composition and Nutritive Value

Annals of Animal Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

 microalgae in Ruminant Nutrition: a Review of the Chemical Composition and Nutritive Value

Recently, microalgae, natural marine resources, have gained increasing interests as a feed for animals. Chlorella vulgaris microalgae are single-cell...

Chlorella vulgaris microalgae in Ruminant Nutrition: a Review of the Chemical Composition and Nutritive Value

Published Online: Aug 05, 2021

Page range: 789 - 806

Received: Sep 28, 2020

Accepted: Nov 17, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2020-0117

Keywords
feed supplements, microalgae, rumen fermentation and microorganisms, unconventional feeds

© 2021 Ahmed E. Kholif et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Chlorella vulgaris microalgae in Ruminant Nutrition: a Review of the Chemical Composition and Nutritive Value

Published Online: Aug 05, 2021

Page range: 789 - 806

Received: Sep 28, 2020

Accepted: Nov 17, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2020-0117

Keywordsfeed supplements, microalgae, rumen fermentation and microorganisms, unconventional feeds

© 2021 Ahmed E. Kholif et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
feed supplements, microalgae, rumen fermentation and microorganisms, unconventional feeds