Germination of faba beans (Vicia faba L.) for organic weaning piglets

Abstract

Faba beans (Vicia faba L.) contain antinutritive compounds that can reduce digestibility and palatability. Germination has been reported to reduce some of those components. The effect of including germinated faba beans in their feed was tested on 160 weaner pigs that were assigned to one of four diets containing either 19% peas (RP19), 16% raw faba beans (RFB16), 16% germinated faba beans (GFB16) or 24% germinated faba beans (GFB24). Crude protein was slightly higher in germinated as compared to raw beans. Most of the essential amino acids decreased due to germination, their contents relative to lysine remained the same. There were no significant differences in live weight on days 8, 15 and 22. At the end of the trial (day 29), live weight of GFB24 was significantly reduced when compared to RP19 and RFB16, but not to GFB16. In week 4, daily weight gain of GFB24 was significantly lower than of all other treatments. There were no significant differences in feed intake between the treatments. It was possible to feed germinated faba bean in amounts up to 240 g kg FM −1 without a reduction in feed intake or a higher incidence of diarrhoea, although live weight and daily weight gain were reduced. Under the circumstances of this study and considering the effort related to the process, germination cannot be recommended as a method to improve the nutritive value and acceptance of faba beans for feeding of weaner pigs.

Nutritive value of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) as a feedstuff resource in livestock nutrition: A review

“…In addition, Gunawardena et al (2010) found that substituting raw or dehulled FB seeds (160 g/kg) for soy protein concentratecorn gluten meal-menhaden meal diets (160 g/kg) did not affect the final BW, ADFI, ADG, and FCR of weaned pigs compared with control diet (without the FB seeds). Moreover, Schwediauer et al (2018) reported that raw or germinated FB seeds (160 g/kg) could partially replace peas at inclusion levels of 160 g/kg in the diet without affecting the final BW, ADFI, ADG, and FCR of weaner piglets, while germinated FB seeds at a higher inclusion level of 240 g/kg in the diet could adversely affect the piglets' productive performance (Schwediauer et al, 2018).…”

“…The proximate nutritional composition and essential amino acid and mineral contents (except for potassium and magnesium) of FB seed only change slightly when subjected to cooking, autoclaving, flaking, and germination (Table 11 ) (Ferruzzi et al., 2009 ; Khalil & Mansour, 1995 ; Schwediauer et al., 2018 ). The extrusion treatment caused a marked reduction in the NDF, EE, and resistant starch contents of FB seeds, while it did not affect other chemical parameters or the amino acid profile of the FB seed (Hejdysz et al., 2016 ; Lestingi et al., 2015 ; Masoero et al., 2005 ).…”

“…Moreover, Schwediauer et al. ( 2018 ) reported that raw or germinated FB seeds (160 g/kg) could partially replace peas at inclusion levels of 160 g/kg in the diet without affecting the final BW, ADFI, ADG, and FCR of weaner piglets, while germinated FB seeds at a higher inclusion level of 240 g/kg in the diet could adversely affect the piglets’ productive performance (Schwediauer et al., 2018 ).…”

Soybean Replacement by Alternative Protein Sources in Pig Nutrition and Its Effect on Meat Quality

“…Poultry and swine require ~42% of the total in feed production and supply 20% of animal proteins, while ruminants use about 19% of feed to produce 20% of animal protein [13]. Considering the organic pig sector, the difficulty in meeting demand for protein appears even more evident [14]. Further, some Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) products of relevant interest for European consumers impose specific rules for animals diets, including limitations on the supply of protein resources [15,16].…”