Nutrient-Enriched Spirulina Platensis for Poultry: A Review on Health Benefits With In-Silico Validation

Spirulina platensis, a filamentous blue or green microalgae, naturally found in alkaline lakes of tropical and subtropical regions, has attracted considerable attention as a sustainable feed resource for poultry production. Beyond its long history of use as a human food supplement, Spirulina is now gaining recognition in animal nutrition owing to its exceptional nutrient profile, including high-quality proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds with antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. With the global demand for high-quality animal protein rising, nutrient-enriched Spirulina provides a sustainable alternative to conventional feed additives. This review highlights current knowledge of Spirulina's applications in poultry nutrition, emphasizing its role in enhancing growth performance, immune competence, gut microbiota modulation, and overall product quality. Particular attention is given to its potential in biofortification, reduction of antibiotic dependence, and contribution to functional poultry products with added health benefits. Moreover, the article identifies critical research gaps and outlines future perspectives, emphasizing the need to explore the underlying mechanism of action, optimize dosage, evaluate synergistic effects with other feed additives, and assess large-scale feasibility in commercial production. By integrating recent advancements, the present review highlights the importance of continued research on Spirulina as an innovative feed additive, enhancing poultry health and productivity while promoting sustainable and eco-friendly production practices.