Processed Chlorella vulgaris: Effects on Digestibility and Growth Performance in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Microalgae are a promising feed ingredient in aquaculture due to their high nutrient content. This study evaluated the effects of different processing methods of Chlorella vulgaris on digestibility, retention, and growth performance in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). A total of 270 mixed-sex tilapia (average weight: 2.8 ± 0.15 g) were randomly assigned and fed to one of three experimental diets—a basal diet, a diet containing freeze-dried Chlorella, or a diet containing spray-dried Chlorella—with three replicates each for 5 weeks. Results indicated that spray-dried Chlorella significantly enhanced protein and energy digestibility, nutrient retention, and growth performance compared to freeze-dried Chlorella. These findings underscore the critical role of processing methods in maximizing the nutritional potential of microalgae for aquaculture feeds. Further research is recommended to optimize processing techniques and inclusion levels for cost-effective and sustainable applications.