Can Feeding Defatted Microalgae Produce Healthier Animal Foods?

The increasing demand of good quality animal products and limited supply of traditional feed lead to exploration of alternative and sustainable food and feed resources. Microalgae are microscopic or single cell algae, usually found in freshwater and marine systems (Thurman, 1997). Recently, they have gained popularity as a feedstock for biofuel production (Chisti, 2007). After oil extraction, the defatted microalgal biomass still contains good amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), protein, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins (Brune et al., 2009; Shields and Lupatsch, 2012). PUFA, particularly n-3 fatty acids, in defatted biomass may bolster its appeal as a source for developing n-3 fatty acids-enriched animal products (Lum et al., 2013). Likewise, the desirable profile of protein, mineral and vitamin makes microalgae a potential replacement for soybean or corn meal in animal feed (Austic et al., 2013). In this paper, potential utilization of defatted microalgae in producing health-value improved animal foods will be discussed.