MICROALGAE IN SUSTAINABLE ANIMAL FEEDING SYSTEMS: NUTRITIONAL POTENTIAL AND PRODUCTION OPTIMIZATION
II. INTERNATIONAL FOOD, AGRICULTURE and VETERINARY SCIENCES CONGRESS, Adana, Türkiye, 25 - 28 Şubat 2026, ss.107-116, (Tam Metin Bildiri)
- Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
- Basıldığı Şehir: Adana
- Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.107-116
- Bilecik Şeyh Edebali Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The increasing demand for animal-derived foods has intensified pressure on conventional feed resources such as soybean meal and fishmeal, contributing to deforestation, freshwater depletion, greenhouse gas emissions, and growing competition for arable land. These challenges underscore the need for alternative feed ingredients that can sustain livestock productivity while reducing environmental impacts. In this context, microalgae have emerged as promising candidates due to their rich nutritional profile, including high-quality protein, essential amino acids, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA, vitamins, and antioxidant compounds. From a sustainability perspective, microalgae offer advantages over traditional feed crops. They can be cultivated on non-arable land, require comparatively lower freshwater inputs, and may utilize saline water, nutritient-rich wastewater streams, or industial CO2 emissions. Such characteristics support nutrient recycling and enable integration into circular production systems. In addition, research indicates that microalgae supplementation in ruminant, poultry, swine, and aquaculture diets can improve fatty acid profiles of animal products and enhance antioxidant status, contributing to both animal health and the nutritional quality of food. Within this framework, this review aims to critically evaluate the role of microalgae in sustainable animal feeding systems by examining their nutritional potential alongside cultivation practices that influence biomass composition and resource use efficiency. Particular attention is given t how growth conditions, such as light availability, nutrient supply, and culture systems, shape biochemical characteristics and, consequently, their suitability for different livestock species. In this way, the review integrates cultivation practices with nutritional and environmental perspectives, offering a comprehensive view of the role microalgae can play in developing more resilient and lower-impact livestock systems.