Nutritional Value of Nannochloropsis oceanica for Weaner Piglets

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2024

Authors

Chaves, AAM (Author) Other; Ribeiro, DM (Author) Other; Martins, CF (Author) Other; Fernandes, T (Author) Other; Maia, MRG (Author) Other; Antonio J M Fonseca (Author) ICBAS; A. Cabrita (Author) ICBAS; Alves, SP (Author) Other; Pinho, M (Author) Other; Bessa, RJB (Author) Other; de Almeida, AM (Author) Other; Freire, JPB (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Animals

Vol. 14

Final page: 3575

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-017-JVD

DOI: 10.3390/ani14243575

Abstract (EN): This study evaluates the nutritional value of spray-dried Nannochloropsis oceanica biomass to infer its applicability for weaner piglet feeding. Twenty-four piglets were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments (n = 6) with increasing N. oceanica inclusion (0, 5, 10, and 15%) levels. After a 4-day adaptation period, the digestibility experiment lasted two weeks, with daily excreta collection. Total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD), N balance, intestinal pH, histomorphology, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were measured. No significant differences were observed in feed intake, growth, or intestinal morphology (p > 0.05). N intake increased linearly (p = 0.005) with N. oceanica inclusion, while N retention efficiency remained unchanged (p = 0.058). VFA concentrations decreased linearly (p < 0.001). The TTAD of dry matter (DM), organic matter, ether extract, and gross energy decreased (p < 0.05) with higher N. oceanica levels, while the ash TTAD increased (p < 0.001). The estimated TTAD values for N. oceanica biomass were 72.5% for DM, 82.9% for N, and 64.4% for gross energy. The digestible energy, metabolisable energy, and digestible crude protein values estimated for N. oceanica were 12.74 MJ/kg DM, 12.40 MJ/kg DM, and 20.4% DM, respectively. This information enabled the first nutritional characterisation of N. oceanica for weaner piglets, ultimately leveraging its use in piglet diet formulation.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 16