Can We Use Microalgae to Produce Healthier Animal Feeds and Human Foods?

X. G. Lei

Professor of Molecular Nutrition Department of Animal Science

Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853

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Food and Feed Security?

• Feeding 7 + billion people, to 9 billion in 2030

• Feeding: 50 billion animals, to double?

• Soybean and corn are staple foods

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Research at CornellUSDA/DOE Development Grant & DOE MAGIC

• Feasibility▫ microalgal biomass replace SBM/corn▫ pigs, broilers, and layer hens

• Maximum % microalgae in diets

• Effects▫ growth performance, health, and products

• Benefits and limits

• Microalgal species▫ selection, culture, and processing

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Completed Microalgal Research at Cornell

Species Trials AnimalsBroilers 10 1,838Layers 10 620Pigs 6 219Mice

Total

6

32

120

2,797

In vitro n

Drop (-) Add (+)Soybean meal Amino acids

Corn Oil

Salt Acids

Limestone Enzymes

Phosphate Trace minerals

Time = 3 to 15 weeks

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– 7.5 to 21%– 2 to 10%SBM

• Layers:– 7.5 to 25%– 2 to 15% SBM

Replacements of Soybean Meal & Corn

• Pigs:– 7.5 to 15%– 5-8%SBM

• Broilers:Table 1.Potential saving of corn and soybean meal and harvestable land in the U.S. withmicroalgal inclusion into swine and poultry diets1

Dietary algae inclusion Corn/Soybeansaved Landsavedthousandton thousandhectares

5% 575 188-283

10% 1,150 375-567

20% 2,300 750-1,1341Calculations based on the1997/1999 yields fromBruinsmaet al., 2003.

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Huamn Nutrition of EPA/DHAOmega-3 Fatty Acids (n3)

C18:3n-3Α-Linolenic acid (ALA)

C20:5n-3Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)

C22:6n-3Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

EicosanoidsAnti-inflammatory

(Simopoulos, 1999 and 2002)

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• The Western diet is “deficient” in ω-3 fatty acids:• ideal ω6:ω3 ratio: 1– US: ~15-20 : 1

• Recommended (EPA+ DHA):• 400 mg/day– US: ~100 mg/day– > 5 times less in non-fish

eaters

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DHA+ EPA Enrichment in Eggs & Chicken

• Humans have low synthesis of DHA + EPA• Terrestrial meat is low in DHA + EPA

• Average American consumes:– 40 kg chicken/year– 250 eggs/year– high in ω-6 and low in ω-3 fatty acids

• Broiler Industry (USDA, 2013):– 36 billion pounds– $22 billion value

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Dose-dependent effect of a defatted green microalgal biomass on enriching omega-3 fatty acids in broiler chicken

S. K. Gatrell, J. Kim, T. J. Derksen, E. V. O’Neil,and X. G. Lei

Department of Animal ScienceCornell University, Ithaca, NY

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Enrichment of DHA + EPA in Breast and Thigh

Breast Thigh

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7.00

6.00

5.00

4.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

0.000 5 20 25

mg/

gsa

mpl

e

10 15Microalgae (%)

y = 0.16x + 1.95R² = 0.94

P ≤ 0.0001

Enrichment of EPA + DHA in Egg Yolk

10

3-Fold

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Summary

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• Microalgae can enrich chicken and eggs with DHA

• 200 g breast/day: 160 mg DHA

• 1 egg/day: 220 mg DHA

• RDA: 400 mg/day

Just eat chicken and eggs for EPA/DHA

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Mouse Study

Efficacy and benefit of DHA-enriched meat and egg yolk

Human study?

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S

Marine Green Microalgae: a Promising Source of BioavailableIron

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ConclusionDefatted or full-fatted microalgal biomass may provide a unique opportunity to produce healthier, value-added animal feeds and human foods.

US Market Potential (2018):• Broilers, 42 billion Ib (@$0.85-0.92/Ib)• Eggs, 8 billion dozens (@$0.87-0.94/dozen)

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