Microalgae digested by insects improves the immunity of dairy cows

Farms often use cheap feed, plus veterinary drugs are used in large quantities to compensate for the weak immunity of farm animals, scientists say , explaining the need for new feeding solutions.

Indeed, the veterinary system in Russia is structured in such a way that it allows farmers to use some veterinary drugs during fattening in almost unlimited quantities. Russian veterinary regulations require that finished products such as meat , milk and eggs should not contain antibiotics in excess of permitted limits. This usually means that farmers only have to abstain from drugs for a few days before slaughter.

While working on the product, scientists tested several types of insects used in the animal feed industry.

“We tried the flight of the black soldier. We also looked at cockroaches, crickets, grasshoppers and locusts. But in the end, the choice was made on the darkling beetle, or more precisely on one of its species – zophobas morio,” said Andrey Nagdalyan, associate professor of the department of food technology and engineering at North Caucasus University.

“Their larvae grow up to 6 centimeters; they don’t eat each other, and it’s easy for them to create the necessary living conditions,” said Andrey Nagdalyan, explaining the benefits of the black body.

During the experiment, insects fed on the popular microalgae Chlorella vulgaris. It is rich in nutrients and is already used in suspension form as a feed additive in the diet of farm animals, the scientists said.

However, in its original form, its cell wall is so strong that the digestive system of cattle cannot destroy it. As a result, the cow does not absorb the necessary vitamins and microelements. But if the algae are digested by the beetles in advance, their nutritional value for the cow increases significantly, the scientists note.

In the study, the beetles converted microalgae into biomass, which was successfully used to feed cows. As representatives of the North Caucasus University explained, only the first part of the study has been completed.

There are preliminary plans to find investors to launch industrial production of biomass from microalgae. Several local businesses have already expressed interest in the technology, the scientists said, without providing further details.