This book features four peer-reviewed reviews on the development of alternative sources of protein as feed for pigs.
The first chapter summarises the nutritional attributes of macroalgae in terms of macro and micronutrients as a source of protein and other compounds in pig nutrition. The chapter also discusses the benefits of macroalgae or macroalgal derived extracts in feed.
The second chapter considers the application of corn fermented protein in feed formulations for pigs. The chapter reviews the challenges in producing corn fermented protein and includes a selection of case studies which detail the effects of adding corn fermented protein into the diets of pigs.
The third chapter provides an overview of the current state of insect production for pig feed globally and reviews the nutritional, economic and environmental benefits of using insects as feed. The chapter also summarises current research on insects as antimicrobials and life cycle assessments of their rearing.
The final chapter discusses the use of black soldier fly (BSF) as an alternative protein source to conventional proteins, such as soya bean meal or fishmeal, in the diets of pigs. The chapter also reviews the benefits and challenges of using BSF in pig diets and highlights what data is still lacking for widespread use of this novel protein.
- Highlights the range of novel protein sources which could replace conventional proteins, from macroalgae and macroalgal derived extracts, to insects and corn fermented protein
- Considers the benefits and challenges of using alternative sources of protein in the diets of pigs
- Reviews the current state of insect production for pig feed globally
This book provides a detailed overview of the development of alternative sources of protein, such as insects and macroalgae and the benefits and challenges of their use as feed for pigs.
Chapter 1 - Developing seaweed/macroalgae as feed for pigs: Marta
López-Alonso, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Marco
García-Vaquero, University College Dublin, Ireland; and Marta Miranda,
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
1 Introduction
2 Challenges in using macroalgae for feed applications
3 Composition of macroalgae
4 Biological functions and health-promoting effects of macroalgae and
macroalgal-derived extracts in pig nutrition
5 Conclusion and future trends
6 Where to look for further information
7 Acknowledgements
8 References
Chapter taken from:
Chapter taken from: Lei, X. G. (ed.), Seaweed and
microalgae as alternative sources of protein, Burleigh Dodds Science
Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2021, (ISBN: 978 1 78676 620 5)
Chapter 2 - High protein corn fermentation products for swine derived from
corn ethanol production: Peter Williams, AG-BIO Ltd, UK;
1 Introduction
2 Distillers dried grains with solubles
3 Corn fermented protein
4 Challenges in producing corn fermented protein
5 Case study: standardized ileal digestibility of CFP for pigs
6 Case study: concentrations of digestible and metabolizable energy in CFP
products fed to pigs
7 Case study: effects of adding phytase on availability of calcium and
phosphorus in corn-fermented products
8 Case study: effects on performance of pigs of inclusion of corn-fermented
protein in the diet
9 Conclusion
10 References
Wiseman, J. (ed.), Advances in pig nutrition, Burleigh Dodds Science
Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2024, (ISBN: 978 1 80146 694 3)
Chapter 3 - Developing alternative sources of protein in pig nutrition:
insects: Kristy DiGiacomo, University of Melbourne, Australia;
1 Introduction
2 Why insects
3 Current state of insect production
4 Potential insects and current production volumes
5 Production and health responses in pigs
6 Competition for resources
7 Rearing insects on manure
8 Current research
9 Future trends in research
10 Barriers to uptake/challenges to production
11 Conclusion
12 Where to look for further information
13 References
Wiseman, J. (ed.), Advances in pig nutrition, Burleigh Dodds Science
Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2024, (ISBN: 978 1 80146 694 3)
Chapter 4 - Use of protein from black soldier flies in pig feed: Sarah
Struthers and Jos Houdijk, Scotlands Rural College (SRUC), UK; and Heidi
Hall, Anpario PLC and CABI, UK;
1. Introduction
2. Nutritional composition of black soldier fly
3. Production performance in pigs fed black soldier fly
4. Benefits of using black soldier fly
5. Challenges
6. Applications
7. Conclusions
8. Acknowledgements
9. References
Chapter taken from: Casillas, A., Insects as alternative sources of protein
for food and feed pp. 3-28, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK,
2025, (ISBN: 978 1 80146 584 7)
Dr Kristy DiGiacomo graduated with a Bachelor of Animal Science and Management (honours) from The University of Melbourne. Kristy is a senior lecturer in production animal nutrition and physiology at The University of Melbourne and is a Veski sustainable agriculture fellow. Dr DiGiacomos current research involves a variety of production animal species including sheep, dairy cattle, dairy goats and pigs. Her research focuses on livestock nutrition, physiology and adaptation to the external environment.
