Articles | Volume 69, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-69-101-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-69-101-2026
Review
 | 
10 Feb 2026
Review |  | 10 Feb 2026

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of inclusion of microalgae in dairy cows' diets on nutrient digestibility, fermentation parameters, blood metabolites, milk production, and fatty acid profiles

Soumaya Boukrouh, Fadoua Karouach, Soufiane El Aayadi, Bouchra El Amiri, Jean-Luc Hornick, Abdelaziz Nilahyane, and Abdelaziz Hirich

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Cited articles

Acosta Balcazar, I. C., Granados Rivera, L. D., Salinas Chavira, J., Estrada Drouaillet, B., Albarrán, M. R., and Bautista Martínez, Y.: Relationship between the Composition of Lipids in Forages and the Concentration of Conjugated Linoleic Acid in Cow's Milk: A Review, Animals, 12, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12131621, 2022. 
Ait El Alia, O., Zine-Eddine, Y., Chaji, S., Boukrouh, S., Boutoial, K., and Faye, B.: Global Camel Milk Industry: A Comprehensive Overview of Production, Consumption Trends, Market Evolution, and Value Chain Efficiency, Small Ruminant Research, 243, 107441, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107441, 2025a. 
Ait El Alia, O., El Mrabet, A., Boukrouh, S., Kaddouri, M., Boutoial, K., and El Orche, A.: Raman Spectroscopy Coupled with Chemometric Techniques for Authenticity Assessment of Camel Milk Powder, J. AOAC Int., qsaf075, https://doi.org/10.1093/jaoacint/qsaf075, 2025b. 
Al Rharad, A., El Aayadi, S., Avril, C., Souradjou, A., Sow, F., Camara, Y., Hornick J.-L., and Boukrouh, S.: Meta-analysis of dietary tannins in small ruminant diets: Effects on growth performance, serum metabolites, antioxidant status, ruminal fermentation, meat quality, and fatty acid profile, Animals, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15040596, 2024. 
Altomonte, I., Salari, F., Licitra, R., and Martini, M.: Use of microalgae in ruminant nutrition and implications on milk quality – A review, Livest. Sci., 214, 25–35, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2018.05.006, 2018. 
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Short summary
Microalgae have been explored as protein supplements for dairy cows, but results vary. This study assessed their effects using meta-analysis, considering factors like species, inclusion level, and breed. Microalgae reduced dry matter intake but improved fiber digestibility. Milk fat decreased, yet C18:2 c9t11 and C22:6 n-3 increased. Schizochytrium sp. boosted C22:6 n-3, and Holstein–Friesian cows reduced saturated fatty acids, supporting microalgae as a sustainable feed supplement.
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