Spirulina in Animal Husbandry (Dairy)

Demand for animal products is increasing due to global changes in consumer tastes and
expanding markets, particularly in developing countries where affluence is spreading. The
identification of new feed resources is therefore crucial for sustainable animal production and
future viability. Ideally, the new feed resource should have high nutritive value and
conversion efficiency, be able to optimize animal product quality and use land and water
efficiently (Poppi and McLennan 2010).

Consequently, Spirulina is emerging as a potential candidate to meet these criteria. Feeding

trials with Spirulina have been conducted in chickens, pigs, ruminants and rabbits.

Spirulina is an edible microalgae and a highly nutritious potential feed resource for many
agriculturally important animal species. Research findings have associated Spirulina to
improvements in animal growth, fertility, aesthetic and nutritional product quality. Spirulina
intake has also been linked to an improvement in animal health and welfare. Its influence
over animal development stems from its nutritive and protein-rich composition, thus leading
to an increased commercial production to meet consumer demand. Consequently, Spirulina is
emerging as a cost- effective means of improving animal productivity for a sustainable and
viable food security future.

Many Research experiments have explained the effect of Spirulina on cattle as below.

 Spirulina improves milk quality & quantity,

 2 g/day of Spirulina is enough to improve milk quality and cows health.
 30 g / day of Spirulina increased milk production by 4 %.
 17-25 % increase in milk fat.
 10 % increase in milk protein (12 % in lactose).
 29 % decrease in somatic cells in milk, 9 % increase of haemoglobin in blood, 13 %
increase of erythrocytes in blood.
 Spirulina increased microbial protein production in rumen.
 Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids from Spirulina increase the cattle fertility.
 The dietary daily supply of 40 g Spirulina platensis per cow over a period of 7 weeks
resulted in decrease of SFA (Saturated fatty acids = “bad” fats) and increase in MUFA
(Mono-unsaturated fatty acids = “no-bad” fats) and PUFA (Poly-unsaturated fatty
acids = Omega-3 Omega-6 = good” fats)
 Table: Studies on the effects of Spirulina on growth and health of ruminants

Species Parameter Summary of results Reference(s)

Cattle Growth Dairy cows fed 200 g Spirulina daily were (Kulpys et al.
8.5-11% fatter than the control group, 2009)
evaluated using body condition score.
Productivity Dairy cows fed 200 g Spirulina daily (Kulpys et al.
produced more milk than the control group. 2009)

Cows fed Spirulina levels of 2g/day (w/w) (Simkus et al.

produced more milk than the control group. 2007)
Spirulina levels of 0.15% of diet resulted in (Zhang et al.
decreased rumen degradability of dietary 2010)
crude protein.
Product Milk from cows fed Spirulina levels of (Simkus et al.
Quality 2g/day had greater average milk fat, 2007)
protein, and lactose than controls. (Simkus et al.
2008)
Milk saturated fatty acid levels decreased (Christaki et
while mono- and polyunsaturated fatty al. 2012)
acids increased when crossbred Holsteins
were fed Spirulina at 40 g/day.
Spirulina fed at 2g/day to dairy cows (Simkus et al.
reduces the somatic cell counts 2007)
Milk from cows fed Spirulina levels of (Simkus et al.
2g/day had greater average milk fat, 2007)
protein, and lactose than controls.
(Simkus et al.
2008)
Sheep Growth 6 month old lambs fed Spirulina levels of (Holman et al.
10% (w/w) had greater liveweights than 2012)
those given 20% (w/w) and the control
group.
Lambs body condition scores incrementally (Holman et al.
higher in lambs fed Spirulina levels of 10 2012)
and 20% (w/w) compared to controls.
Lambs fed cow milk enriched with 10 g/day (Bezerra et al.
Spirulina had higher liveweights and growth 2010)
rates during 15-30 days old than the control
group.
Pregnant ewes fed pellets containing 2g (Shimkiene et
Spirulina ad libitum produced newborn al. 2010)
lambs with higher weights and average
daily gains than those from control
treatment ewes.