Nutritional Value of <i>Nannochloropsis oceanica</i> for Weaner Piglets

Nutritional Value of <i>Nannochloropsis oceanica</i> for Weaner Piglets

This study evaluates the nutritional value of spray-dried <i>Nannochloropsis oceanica</i> biomass to infer its applicability for weaner piglet feeding. Twenty-four piglets were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments (<i>n</i> = 6) with increasing <i>N. oceanica&l...

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Main Authors: Andreia A. M. Chaves, David M. Ribeiro, Cátia F. Martins, Tatiane Fernandes, Margarida R. G. Maia, António J. M. Fonseca, Ana R. J. Cabrita, Susana P. Alves, Mário Pinho, Rui J. B. Bessa, André M. de Almeida, João P. B. Freire
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Animals
Subjects:
apparent total tract digestibility
digestible energy
feed evaluation
microalgae
post-weaning piglets
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/24/3575
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Summary:This study evaluates the nutritional value of spray-dried <i>Nannochloropsis oceanica</i> biomass to infer its applicability for weaner piglet feeding. Twenty-four piglets were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments (<i>n</i> = 6) with increasing <i>N. oceanica</i> 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 (<i>p</i> > 0.05). N intake increased linearly (<i>p</i> = 0.005) with <i>N. oceanica</i> inclusion, while N retention efficiency remained unchanged (<i>p</i> = 0.058). VFA concentrations decreased linearly (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The TTAD of dry matter (DM), organic matter, ether extract, and gross energy decreased (<i>p</i> < 0.05) with higher <i>N. oceanica</i> levels, while the ash TTAD increased (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The estimated TTAD values for <i>N. oceanica</i> 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 <i>N. oceanica</i> were 12.74 MJ/kg DM, 12.40 MJ/kg DM, and 20.4% DM, respectively. This information enabled the first nutritional characterisation of <i>N. oceanica</i> for weaner piglets, ultimately leveraging its use in piglet diet formulation.
ISSN:2076-2615

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