Sea urchin waste as valuable alternative source of calcium in laying hens' diet.

ABSTRACT: Annually, 3000-3500 tons of sea urchins are harvested in the Mediterranean Sea, with only their gonads being consumed (10-30% of the total weight), leaving the rest as waste. This waste, consisting of the skeleton, is rich in biominerals, mainly calcium with a small amount of magnesium, and contains potent antioxidant compounds. Considering the issues of resource overconsumption, and in line with the circular economy concept, this study explored the potential of replacing limestone-derived calcium with sea urchin waste in the diet of laying hens, which require this element to produce eggs. The experiment involved two groups of hens: one receiving a control diet containing limestone-derived calcium, and another fed an experimental diet containing sea urchin waste as alternative source of ca

SUBMITTER: Leone F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11878918 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature