Seaweeds as source of protein for animal feed

The nutritional value of six tropical seaweeds (Sargassum wightii, Ulva lactuca, Kappaphycus alvarezii, Hypnea musciformis, Acanthophora spicifera and Gracilaria corticata) as complementary source of dietary proteins for human and animal nutrition based on amino acid profile was evaluated. All these species showed similar non-essential amino acid patterns in which aspartic and glutamic acids constituted together a large part of the amino acid fraction (25.2% to 29.5%). Among these, Hypnea musciformis possessed higher amino acid content and better amino acid profile and all of them were generally rich in phenylalanine, tyrosine, threonine and tryptophan and deficient in methionine, cysteine, leucine and lysine. Except U. lactuca all others showed a balanced amino acid profile comparable to FAO reference pattern. Seaweeds being rich in minerals, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids as well as phycocolloids, partial substitution of costly protein sources in animal feeds with seaweed protein may improve feed quality while reducing the cost.