The nutritive value of seaweed (Ulva lactuca) for goats

Abstract

The nutritive value of seaweed (Ulva lactuca) was studied in adult male Canarian goats. The nutrient content of U. lactuca, kg(-1) DM, was 825 g OM, 211 g crude protein, 17 g ether extract, 189 g structural carbohydrates, 27 g lignin and 381 non-structural carbohydrates. Effective rumen degradation was 335 g OM and 96 g CP kg(-1) DM, and in vitro digestion was 512 g OM and 147 g CP kg(-1) DM. The energy content of the seaweed was estimated to be 10.2 MJ DE kg(-1) DM. From these results, U. lactuca can be considered as a medium quality forage for goats, with a high protein content. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.