Microalgae and macroalgae provide a number of benefits (nutrition, biocontrol, immunity, …) for improving the health and nutrition of farmed animals, and especially of fish in the context of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture promoted by CEVA and its partners (Carnot, CIPA, ITAVI). Indeed, this “new” technique could increase the interest of aqua-farmers for seaweed and provide access to a new raw resource for aquaculture nutrition. CEVA and its partners (Carnot and companies) also further their exploration on new benefits of seaweed and microalgae for livestock, and thus motivated by a “demedicalised” approach. Improving access to algal protein is work occurring in parallel, which can also contribute towards self-sufficiency in terms of protein in animal feed.
The CEVA has therefore been strongly involved in projects aiming to improve the bioavailability / digestibility and pre-treatment of algae, but also to control the content of high-quality protein in seaweed or microalgae biomass during growth.
The use of algae in plant health and nutrition is not left out, specially when organic farming and pressure to reduce phytosanitary products is increasing. The CEVA aims to contribute to the commercial development of the algal bio-stimulants market, and to provide support to producers willing to characterize and diversify their products, in an ever more demanding regulatory context.
In a very near future, algae will show their full potential in the field of biocontrol, especially for specific applications (market gardening, vines …), and increasing amounts of algae co-products as well as algae produced through IMTA / bioremediation systems will also be available. Such resource will find applications in fertilization, through mineral and nitrogen recycling processes improved by the role of these matrices on the soil structure and on the absorption of nutrients.
Take a glance at our achievements in the field below and come to share your questions with our experts!
