Using seaweed and mushroom waste in chicken feed could boost Africa's food security

Published 2024년 8월 13일

Tridge summary

A new research proposal by Dr Godfrey Mhlongo suggests the use of unconventional ingredients, such as brown seaweed and spent oyster mushroom substrates, in chicken feed to address Africa's food security challenges and reduce environmental strain. The novel feed ingredient, sea bamboo meal (SBM), is a rich source of essential nutrients and bioactive compounds, enhancing poultry health and growth. The study also introduces the use of oyster mushroom spawn to improve the nutritional value of SBM further. The findings indicate that the experimental diets improved growth metrics and meat quality in Boschveld cockerels, with potential for reduced dependency on traditional feedstocks like corn and soybeans. The scalability of these alternatives across Africa is highlighted for their environmental sustainability and economic benefits, despite facing regulatory, environmental, and market challenges. The research underscores the need for knowledge dissemination and policy support for widespread adoption, focusing on the potential of brown seaweed and spent oyster mushroom substrates to enhance poultry farming efficiency and sustainability.
Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

One of Africa's most pressing challenges is achieving food security. A researcher proposes an innovative approach to chicken feed to address this issue. Dr Godfrey Mhlongo, a recent PhD graduate in animal science from South Africa’s North-West University (NWU), suggests incorporating brown seaweed and spent oyster mushroom substrates into chicken feed to help feed the continent while preserving the environment. "This strategy can help meet the growing demand for animal protein at a lower cost," he says. Dr Mhlongo’s research focuses on optimizing a novel and cost-effective brown seaweed ingredient, sea bamboo meal (SBM), in feed for indigenous chickens, using oyster mushrooms to enhance its nutritional value. His study aimed to evaluate the potential of oyster mushroom spawn—known for producing lignin-degrading enzymes—to improve the nutritive and feeding value of SBM in the diet of Boschveld cockerels. SBM is rich in bioactive compounds, including proteins, essential amino acids, ...

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