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MICOALGA-FEED: Reduction of antibiotics in livestock through natural feeding based on the use of fungi and algae.

 

United to collaborate on an exciting project

MICOALGA-FEED is a supra-autonomic Operational Group whose aim is to reduce or eliminate the use of antibiotics in livestock farming through a natural feed based on fungi and algae.

It is based on the WHO's One Health initiative, which involves the collaboration of multiple disciplines at local, national and international level, to achieve optimal health for people, animals and the environment. In this sense, MICOALGA-FEED is focused on improving animal welfare in poultry farming. When an animal is sick, it is treated with antimicrobials. However, alternative measures to the use of antimicrobials have been investigated for years. In the specific case of poultry farming, the most frequent routes of infection are digestive and inhalation, which facilitates the colonisation of pathogenic microorganisms that cause diseases that require treatment.

MICOALGA-FEED proposes to reduce the amount of antibiotics in livestock through feed. New feeds supplemented with ingredients obtained from the cultivation of fungi and microalgae with antibiotic, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory capacity will be developed.

To achieve this, MICOALGA-FEED has set the following specific objectives:

  • Design and develop functional raw materials based on fungi and microalgae for the livestock sector.

The ingredients (and combinations thereof) based on fungi and microalgae with the greatest potential will be selected and manufactured.

  • To evaluate in vitro antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory capacity, and to analytically characterise formulated ingredients and feeds.

By means of a battery of in vitro tests, including the simulation of the avian digestive system, the antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory capacity of the ingredients based on fungi and microalgae, as well as of the feed supplemented with these ingredients, will be evaluated. On the basis of these tests, the amount of each ingredient to be added will be calculated in order to maintain its effectiveness after the treatments necessary for the manufacture of the feed. Finally, the ingredients and feeds selected for their greater effectiveness will be analytically characterised.

  • To evaluate in vivo the efficacy of feed in an experimental poultry farm.

Production, epidemiological, clinical and immune system status of the birds shall be monitored. On the basis of the results obtained, feed shall be selected and classified according to the degree of efficacy.

Operational Groups

The Operational Groups, key players in the implementation of the AEI-Agri (European Innovation Partnership for Productive and Sustainable Agriculture), are one of the key tools in the implementation of the National Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 to promote innovation in the agri-food and forestry sector within the European scope. It is a grouping of agents with different profiles and common interests, such as farmers, livestock farmers, companies, research centres or training and dissemination centres, who join together to launch an innovation project with the aim of providing a joint, multi-sectoral response to a problem or need.

For more information about the Task Forces:

Partners

To carry out this initiative, MICOALGA-FEED is made up of a multidisciplinary team.

Applicant members

  • Fundación Empresa Universidad Gallega (FEUGA), representative of the Operational Group.
  • Hyphae Veterinary, S.L.
  • Neoalgae Micro Seaweed Products, S.L.N.E.
  • UVESA Group.

Collaborating members

  • Asociación Española de Ciencia Avícola (AECA), Spanish branch of the World Poultry Science Association (WPSA).
  • Spanish Foundation for the Development of Animal Nutrition (FEDNA)
  • Spanish Confederation of Manufacturers of Compound Feedingstuffs for Pets (CESFAC)
  • Spanish Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat (AVIANZA)

Web and RRSS

More information about MICOALGA-FEED on the project website:

www.micoalga-feed.es

Also in the RRSS:

Funding

Innovation project co-financed 80% by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) of the European Union and 20% by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, within the framework of the National Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. The Directorate-General for Rural Development, Innovation and Agri-Food Training (DGDRIFA) is the authority responsible for implementing this aid. Total budget: €524,847.66. Total grant: €505,519.66.

AVIANZA is the body responsible for the content.