Animal Nutrition
& Health

In the Animal Nutrition Working Group, we bridge algae biotechnology with animal performance.

Fast Track for Functional Screening

Validate functional ingredients with unmatched precision. Our advanced in vitro and ex vivo
platform uses fish and shrimp mucosal systems for high-resolution screening and
benchmarking of microalgae, macroalgae, and premium additives.

Advanced Methodologies for Nutrition & Health

We apply state-of-the-art molecular tools to validate how your ingredients influence animal health at the cellular and molecular levels.

Transcriptomics & Metagenomics: We uncover how algae and functional additives interact with the host, providing high-resolution insights into cross-kingdom modulation, gene expression and microbiome health.
Biomarker Identification: Through a reverse nutraceutical approach, we identify key molecular markers that enable the measurement and validation of performance, health and functional outcomes.
In Vitro & Ex Vivo Models: We overcome the limitations of conventional testing by assessing bioactivity directly at mucosal interfaces, generating faster, more precise and biologically relevant insights.

Innovative Algae Additives & Prototyping

We translate complex biological needs into scientifically driven, ready-to-test prototypes, helping accelerate the development of high-performance animal nutrition solutions.

Targeted Strain Selection: We identify and select the most suitable microalgae strains, ingredients and fractions to enhance nutrient bioavailability, functionality and biological performance.
Microbiome-Focused Nutrition: We develop prototypes enriched with value-added nutrients designed to support the mucosal microbiome and promote optimized biological responses.
The GreenCoLab Network: Your development is supported by the integrated expertise of GreenCoLab’s specialized research groups, providing multidisciplinary scientific knowledge throughout the innovation process.

The

Team

Led by Ana Teresa Gonçalves, our team offers deep expertise in nutrigenomics, functional feeds and animal health management. Powered by Rute Felix, Soraia Santos, Anna Strizhack, Rafael Vitorino and Daniel Figueiredo, we provide scientific direction and robustness for algae application in precision animal functional nutrition and nutraceuticals.

What we

can offer

We provide specialized screening and bioactivity analysis services that includes an ex vivo functional screening platform for aquafeed additives and alternative ingredients. Our services include tailor-made analytical panels to evaluate health and performance for aquaculture species, bioactivity assessments, and advanced microbiome analysis for health management. We offer expert data analysis for transcriptomics and metagenomics to guide the industrial scale-up of animal health solutions.

Cutting Edge Space

Multidisciplinary Team

Our group integrates molecular biology, microbiology and in vitro/ex vivo cultures to guide algae applications and animal health management. We are equipped for the cultivation and identification of gut and skin bacteria, following safety protocols for pathogens and mucosa microbial modulation. As a hub for bioassays, in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo assessments, we validate prototypes and strains to ensure performance in aquaculture species. With high throughput molecular technology, we evaluate the mode of action of ingredients, and guide our innovations.