Abstract
Simple SummaryThe use of seaweeds as ingredients of ruminant diets can be an alternative to conventional feedstuffs, but it is necessary to assess their nutritive value. The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition and in vitro rumen fermentation of eight brown, red and green seaweed species collected in Norway during both spring and autumn. The in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics of 17 diets composed of oat hay:concentrate in a 1:1 ratio, with the concentrate containing no seaweed or including one of the 16 seaweed samples, was also studied. Species and season determined differences in chemical composition and in vitro fermentation of seaweeds. Most of the tested seaweeds can be included in the diet (up to 200 g/kg concentrate) without negative effects on in vitro ruminal fermentation.This study was designed to analyze the chemical composition and in vitro rumen fermentation of eight seaweed species (Brown: Alaria esculenta, Laminaria digitata, Pelvetia canaliculata, Saccharina latissima; Red: Mastocarpus stellatus, Palmaria palmata and Porphyra sp.; Green: Cladophora rupestris) collected in Norway during spring and autumn. Moreover, the in vitro ruminal fermentation of seventeen diets composed of 1:1 oat hay:concentrate, without (control diet) or including seaweeds was studied. The ash and N contents were greater (p < 0.001) in seaweeds collected during spring than in autumn, but autumn-seaweeds had greater total extractable polyphenols. Nitrogen in red and green seaweeds was greater than 2.20 and in brown seaweeds, it was lower than 1.92 g/kg DM. Degradability after 24 h of fermentation was greater in spring seaweeds than in autumn, with Palmaria palmata showing the greatest value and Pelvetia canaliculata the lowest. Seaweeds differed in their fermentation pattern, and autumn Alaria esculenta, Laminaria digitata, Saccharina latissima and Palmaria palmata were similar to high-starch feeds. The inclusion of seaweeds in the concentrate of a diet up to 200 g/kg concentrate produced only subtle effects on in vitro ruminal fermentation.
Highlights
The expected growth in the human population and the demand for animal products in the forthcoming years have increased the need for searching for alternative sources of nutrients for livestock feeding [1]
Ash and N content was greater (p < 0.001) in seaweeds collected in spring than in those harvested in autumn (224 vs. 121 g/kg dry matter (DM) and 3.08 vs. 1.92 g/kg DM, respectively)
Ash content ranged from 88.2 g/kg DM in Porphyra sp. to 225 g/kg DM in Laminaria digitata and Saccharina latissima
Summary
The expected growth in the human population and the demand for animal products in the forthcoming years have increased the need for searching for alternative sources of nutrients for livestock feeding [1]. Seaweeds had been proposed as alternative feeds that might have potential benefits on the health of the animals and the consumers of animal products due to their content in bioactive compounds [2,3]. The use of seaweeds in animal feeding could help to alleviate the environmental pollution caused by management of seaweeds in coastal zones. On the other hand, seaweed farming is known to render environmental benefits by recycling nutrients and preventing eutrophication [4]. There are studies [5] reporting the traditional use of seaweeds for feeding sheep in the
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