Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXVI, Issue 2
Written by Gabriela Maria CORNESCU, Tatiana Dumitra PANAITE, Ana CISMILEANU, Cristina-Camelia MATACHE, Mara-Ioana MUNTIU-RUSU
This review aims to evaluate partially substitution of soybean meal with peas (Pisum sativum) and lucerne (Medicago sativa) in pigs’ feeding. Peas and lucerne offer favourable nutritional profiles, containing substantial levels of protein, essential amino acids, and dietary fibre. The two ingredients can be economically viable alternatives to soybean meal due to their relatively lower cost and availability in certain regions, reducing feeding costs, thus benefiting pig producers. Partially substituting soybean meal with peas and lucerne can alleviate the environmental burden associated with soybean production, because it is required less land and water resources, and their cultivation has a lower environmental footprint, making them sustainable choices for pig feed formulation. Although peas and lucerne may contain certain anti-nutritional factors, such as trypsin inhibitors and phytates, which can interfere with nutrient utilization and digestion in pigs, a proper processing technique, such as heat treatment or enzyme supplementation, are necessary to mitigate the negative effects of these compounds and improve nutrient availability. The palatability of the diet may be influenced by factors such as flavour, texture, and aroma, therefore a careful formulation and gradual introduction of these alternative protein sources can help ensure adequate feed intake and prevent any potential negative effects. The digestibility of protein and other nutrients of peas and lucerne can be lower compared to soybean meal, which may impact nutrient utilization and growth performance. However, optimization of formulation, feed processing, and enzyme supplementation can help overcome these challenges and improve nutrient digestibility.
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