Nutritional Value of Nannochloropsis oceanica for Weaner Piglets

Abstract

This study evaluates the nutritional value of spray-dried <i>Nannochloropsis oceanica</i> biomass to infer its applicability for weaner piglet feeding. Twenty-four piglets were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments (<i>n</i> = 6) with increasing <i>N. oceanica</i> inclusion (0, 5, 10, and 15%) levels. After a 4-day adaptation period, the digestibility experiment lasted two weeks, with daily excreta collection. Total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD), N balance, intestinal pH, histomorphology, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were measured. No significant differences were observed in feed intake, growth, or intestinal morphology (<i>p</i> &gt; 0.05). N intake increased linearly (<i>p</i> = 0.005) with <i>N. oceanica</i> inclusion, while N retention efficiency remained unchanged (<i>p</i> = 0.058). VFA concentrations decreased linearly (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). The TTAD of dry matter (DM), organic matter, ether extract, and gross energy decreased (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) with higher <i>N. oceanica</i> levels, while the ash TTAD increased (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). The estimated TTAD values for <i>N. oceanica</i> biomass were 72.5% for DM, 82.9% for N, and 64.4% for gross energy. The digestible energy, metabolisable energy, and digestible crude protein values estimated for <i>N. oceanica</i> were 12.74 MJ/kg DM, 12.40 MJ/kg DM, and 20.4% DM, respectively. This information enabled the first nutritional characterisation of <i>N. oceanica</i> for weaner piglets, ultimately leveraging its use in piglet diet formulation.