A study from the GeneBEcon project examined the use of Chlorella vulgaris, a type of microalgae, in broiler chicken feed. Researchers tested diets with 0% to 20% microalgae and compared unprocessed biomass to biomass treated with pulsed electric field (PEF) technology to see how it affected nutrient absorption, growth, and meat characteristics.
The results showed that higher levels of C. vulgaris reduced digestibility of proteins, fats, and energy. PEF processing improved digestibility compared to unprocessed biomass by breaking down cell walls, which made nutrients easier to absorb. Increased amounts of microalgae in the feed also led to lower body weight, slower growth, and changes in meat color, with darker meat observed at higher inclusion rates.
This study highlights how microalgae and processing methods like PEF can be applied to poultry feed to meet nutritional needs and improve feed efficiency.
Read the full study here.