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

 

United to collaborate on an exciting project

MICOALGA-FEED is a supra-autonomous Operational Group whose purpose is to reduce or eliminate the use of antibiotics in livestock through a natural diet based on fungi and algae.

It was born based on the WHO One Health initiative, which involves the collaboration of multiple disciplines at the 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 their use 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 colonization of pathogenic microorganisms that cause diseases that require treatment.

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

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

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

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

  • Assess in vitro the antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory capacity, and analytically characterize the ingredients and formulated feed.

Through a battery of tests in vitro, which include the simulation of the avian digestive system, the antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory capacity of ingredients based on fungi and microalgae, as well as feed supplemented with these ingredients, will be evaluated. Based on these tests, the amount to add of each ingredient will be calculated so that it maintains its effectiveness after the treatments necessary for the manufacture of the feed. Finally, the ingredients and feed selected for their greater effectiveness will be analytically characterized.

  • Assess in vivo the effectiveness of feed in an experimental avian farm.

Production, epidemiological, clinical and state of the birds' immune system controls will be carried out. Based on the results obtained, the feed will be selected and classified by degree of effectiveness.

Operational Groups

The Operational Groups, main actors in the implementation of the AEI-Agri (European Innovation Partnership in productive and sustainable agriculture), are one of the key tools in the execution of the National Rural Development Program 2014-2020 to promote innovation in the agri-food and forestry sector within the European scope. It is the grouping of agents with different profiles with common interests, such as farmers, ranchers, companies, research or training and dissemination centers, who associate to launch an innovation project with the aim of providing a joint response. and multisectoral to a problem or need.

For more information about the Operational Groups:

Partners

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

Applicant members

  • Galician University Business Foundation (FEUGA), representative of the Operational Group.
  • Hifas Veterinary, SL
  • Neoalgae Micro Seaweed Products, SLNE
  • UVESA Group.

Collaborating members

  • Spanish Association of Poultry Science (AECA), Spanish branch of the World Poultry Science Association (WPSA).
  • Spanish Foundation for the Development of Animal Nutrition (FEDNA)
  • Spanish Confederation of Compound Feed Manufacturers for Pet Animals (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:

Financing

Innovation project co-financed in an 80% by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) of the European Union and in a 20% by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, within the framework of the National Rural Development Program 2014-2020. The General Directorate of Rural Development, Innovation and Agri-Food Training (DGDRIFA) is the authority in charge of applying said aid. Total budget: €524,847.66. Total subsidy: €505,519.66.

AVIANZA is the body responsible for the content.