The chlorococcalean alga Chlorella in animal nutrition: a review

Unicellular freshwater microalgae of the genus Chlorella are characterised by a relative ease of cultivation, high productivity and high content of proteins and other valuable components. However, the alga is too expensive to use widely as a protein supplement in animal feed. Nevertheless, in many e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied phycology 2015-12, Vol.27 (6), p.2173-2180
Main Authors: Kotrbáček, Václav, Doubek, Jaroslav, Doucha, Jiří
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
Animal nutrition
Animal products
Biomass
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Chlorella
Ecology
Feeds
Freshwater & Marine Ecology
Immune system
Iodine
Life Sciences
Plant Physiology
Plant Sciences
Selenium
Thyroid
Vitamins
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Summary:Unicellular freshwater microalgae of the genus Chlorella are characterised by a relative ease of cultivation, high productivity and high content of proteins and other valuable components. However, the alga is too expensive to use widely as a protein supplement in animal feed. Nevertheless, in many experiments, it was found that even a very low, economically acceptable addition of Chlorella biomass to animal feed can positively influence growth and performance. This is due to the presence of pigments, antioxidants, provitamins, vitamins and a growth substance known as the Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF), which can stimulate or enhance the immune system, increase feed intake and utilisation and promote reproduction; the use of Chlorella biomass might therefore increase the value of animal products for human consumption. Significant results were also achieved in the use of Chlorella biomass as a carrier of organically bound selenium and iodine that play a substantial role in the thyroid hormone regulation in an organism.
ISSN:0921-8971
1573-5176
DOI:10.1007/s10811-014-0516-y