ARCHIVES
VOL. 8, ISSUE 1 (2026)
A review: Macroalgae in animal and aquafeed for enhancing growth performance and product quality
Authors
Aulia Andhikawati, Raden Febrianto Christi
Abstract
Macroalgae have emerged as promising
functional ingredients in animals and aquafeed due to their rich nutritional
composition and diverse bioactive compounds. This review synthesizes recent
advances on the utilization of green, brown, and red macroalgae as feed
ingredients, highlighting their roles from raw biomass through processing and
formulation to biological effects and final product quality. Proper processing
methods, including drying, milling, and enzymatic or fermentation treatments,
are essential to improve digestibility, bioavailability, and feed safety,
enabling effective incorporation into formulated feeds. Macroalgae
supplementation has been shown to enhance growth performance and feed
efficiency in both aquaculture species and terrestrial livestock. Reported
benefits include improved feed conversion ratios, enhanced gut health,
increased antioxidant capacity, and reduced energy losses, particularly in
ruminant systems. These physiological improvements underpin the observed gains
in productivity and support the use of macroalgae as sustainable alternatives
or complements to conventional feed ingredients. Future perspectives emphasize
the development of biorefinery approaches, fermented and enzyme-treated seaweed
feeds, and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems within a circular
bioeconomy framework. Overall, optimized macroalgae utilization represents a
viable strategy to sustainably enhance growth performance, feed efficiency, and
final product quality in animal and aquafeed systems.
Download
Pages:25-32
How to cite this article:
Aulia Andhikawati, Raden Febrianto Christi "A review: Macroalgae in animal and aquafeed for enhancing growth performance and product quality". International Journal of Agriculture and Plant Science, Vol 8, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 25-32
Download Author Certificate
Please enter the email address corresponding to this article submission to download your certificate.