Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of faba bean, white lupin and pea seed when fed as protein supplements on growth performance, carcass characteristics and haematological characteristics of growing lambs. Forty-eight Gentile di Puglia male lambs, weaned at 38 ± 2 days old with an average initial bodyweight of 12.8 ± 0.5 kg, were divided into six homogenous groups. The six dietary treatments were RFB (diet containing raw faba bean seeds); EFB (diet containing extruded faba bean seeds); RL (diet containing raw lupin seeds); EL (diet containing extruded lupin seeds); RP (diet containing raw pea seeds); and EP (diet containing extruded pea seeds). Feeding lupin seeds reduced average daily feed intake compared with the other protein sources. Carcass conformation, loin weight as a percentage of half-carcass weight, and fat weight as a percentage of loin weight improved in the lambs that consumed both EP and RP diets. Extrusion reduced hide weight as a percentage of empty bodyweight and fat weight as a percentage of leg weight. The protein source had a significant effect on glucose and total cholesterol concentrations, albumin, α1-globulin, β-globulin, and γ-globulin percentages and albumin-globulin ratios. The processing treatment decreased total cholesterol concentrations. Thus, feeding the various legumes did not affect growth performance, but only carcass characteristics; changes which may be due to the differences in feed intake. Extrusion also had minor effects, and further work is required to investigate the use of these protein sources, both raw and extruded.Keywords: extrusion, faba bean, haematology, lupin, pea, protein source, slaughter data
Highlights
Various species of home-grown grain legumes, such as pea, faba bean, and lupin, may represent strategically important alternatives to soybean
The variety of sweet lupin that was used in the present study was Multitalia, an old Italian sweet variety, which is has not been selected for reduced alkaloid content to any great extent (Calabrò et al, 2015)
The lambs that consumed lupin seed tended (P
Summary
Various species of home-grown grain legumes, such as pea, faba bean, and lupin, may represent strategically important alternatives to soybean. They are widely available in Mediterranean areas and increase the sustainability of crop–livestock systems by safeguarding soil fertility and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and use of nitrogen fertilizer (Bonanno et al, 2012; Calabrò et al, 2015). The use of a diet based largely on faba bean for fattening lambs resulted in growth and meat characteristics similar to the most frequently used diets containing soybean meal as the main source of protein (Caballero et al, 1992; Lanza et al, 1999; Lanza et al, 2011).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
