Antioxidant effects of seaweeds and their active compounds on animal health and production – a review

This review explores the potential of seaweeds as natural sources of antioxidants in animal nutrition, emphasizing their role in improving health, resilience, and production performance. Seaweeds - across brown, red, and green species - are rich in bioactive compounds such as phenolics, polysaccharides, pigments, vitamins, and minerals, many of which exhibit strong antioxidant activity. These compounds help regulate oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals and supporting cellular function.
The authors highlight that oxidative stress is a major contributor to disease and reduced performance in livestock, particularly under stress conditions like heat, infection, or poor housing. Seaweed supplementation can enhance antioxidant defense systems, improve immune function, and reduce inflammation. In addition, certain compounds act as prebiotics and antimicrobials, supporting gut health, nutrient absorption, and microbial balance, while also enhancing meat quality by preventing lipid oxidation in muscle tissue.
Overall, the review concludes that seaweeds are promising functional feed ingredients that can improve animal performance and product quality. However, their effectiveness depends on species, inclusion level, and composition variability, and careful management is required to optimize their use in livestock diets.