Microalgae as futuristic feeds for securing chicken production while promoting human health

Siedenburg, Jules R., Attard, Everaldo and Verschoor, Arjan (2026) Microalgae as futuristic feeds for securing chicken production while promoting human health. Frontiers in Animal Science, 6. ISSN 2673-6225

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Abstract

Livestock keepers face growing challenges, notably rising input prices and escalating biotic and abiotic stresses linked to environmental issues like climate change. These stresses pose problems for farmers but could also adversely affect wider society, including food security and the environment. Agricultural innovations are needed to help address such threats, and nature-based solutions are a promising locus of innovative farm inputs. The present paper reviews the available evidence on one species of microalgae – Arthrospira platensis – and its potential significance for chicken production given these challenges. It finds that this feed possesses multifaceted efficacy, namely boosting the production of meat and eggs, enhancing the resilience of production to biotic and abiotic stresses, and improving product quality. These effects could bolster the economic viability of chicken production. The observed quality effects also create scope for producing biofortified chicken products, with potentially major implications for public health. The paper summarises the evidence on these themes in non-technical language using intuitive metrics. It also frames its findings in terms of key target users of this innovative feed, namely farmers, farm advisors and policy makers. It concludes by discussing the potential significance of this agricultural innovation and highlighting key research and policy priorities.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	arthrospira,biofortified foods,chicken production,climate change,food systems transformation,microalgae,nature-based solutions,public health
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Global Development (formerly School of International Development)
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Centre for Behavioural and Experimental Social Sciences University of East Anglia Schools > Faculty of Science > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Behavioural and Experimental Development Economics Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Gender and Development Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Impact Evaluation
Related URLs:	https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10....
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	23 Feb 2026 16:30
Last Modified:	23 Feb 2026 16:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/102030
DOI:	10.3389/fanim.2025.1710262

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