Title : Using green macroalgae cladophora from saline waters in animal husbandry is a way to overcome iodine deficiency in humans
Abstract:
Around 68 % of the global population experiences varying degrees of iodine deficiency due to many areas are classified as iodine-deficient territories. Iodizing salt does not address the issue and has several adverse effects. The presentation investigates the factors contributing to iodine deficiency in soil and freshwater. The arid areas occupy around 40 % of terrestrial land, and climate aridity contributes to the development of this element deficiency in the environment. In waters, iodine content positively correlates with salinity. Brown algae, particularly marine seaweeds, have been traditionally utilized to address iodine deficiency. To address the issue of iodine deficiency, it is advisable to utilize green macroalgae (Cladophora and Ulva) sourced from saline and hypersaline waters. These algae possess significant potential as fertilizers, food additives, and fodder supplements, which can significantly increase the iodine content in agricultural products. Our experiments on rabbits, broilers, and laying hens revealed that incorporating a 1% Cladophora supplement into their diet leads to enhanced growth, strengthened immunity, and a significant increase in iodine content in meat (3-5 times) and eggs (12 times).In hypersaline aquatic environments, filamentous algae of Cladophora spp. exhibit a significant biomass, reaching up to 2.25 kilograms of dry mass per square meter. These algae also demonstrate remarkable productivity, capable of generating up to 1 kilogram of dry mass per square meter per week. This productivity level is two orders of magnitude higher than that observed in terrestrial plants and is substantially greater than that of brown algae. For example, in the hypersaline Sivash Bay (Sea of Azov) alone, 15 million tons of Cladophora biomass are produced annually. Our analyses revealed that the natural reserves of green filamentous algae Cladophora, characterized by high productivity, are ample to address global iodine deficiency issues.
