Effects of Lemna minor on productive performance and digestibility in broiler chickens: a literature review
Keywords:
Alternative, feed conversion, conventional diets, digestibilityAbstract
The objective of this study is to synthesize the scientific evidence on the nutritional composition of Lemna minor and to determine how the inclusion level, form of presentation, and processing of its biomass influence performance and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens. The literature search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, and 27 publications were included; of these, seven provided experimental evidence through eight independent experiments. The composition of the biomass varied across studies, attributable to cultivation conditions, origin, and processing. Feeding trials indicated that low or moderate inclusions of fresh, dry, or meal-form biomass can maintain performance comparable to that of conventional diets, while high levels reduced final weight, weight gain, or feed efficiency. In vivo evaluation confirmed the supply of usable protein, amino acids, phosphorus, and energy, although their utilization varied among nutrients and biomass batches. Enzyme supplementation improved the responses, but the evidence regarding fermented biomass was insufficient. It is concluded that L. minor represents a potential alternative as a complementary ingredient and partial substitute for conventional protein sources, at validated inclusion levels.
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