A meta-analysis of the effects of dietary canola / double low rapeseed meal on growth performance of weanling and growing-finishing pigs

Soybean replacement value of canola meal as measured by growth performance and feed efficiency in broiler chickens: Insights from a meta-analysis: CANOLA MEAL HAS POOR REPLACEMENT POTENTIAL FOR SOYBEAN IN BROILER DIETS

While the use of canola meal (CM) as an alternative to soybean meal in broiler diets is well documented, the results are still conflicting. Therefore, this meta-analysis combines results from multiple studies to provide a more precise estimate of the effect size or relationship between dietary CM and feed intake (FI), average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in broiler chickens. This approach explores the inconsistencies, identifies knowledge gaps, and creates new insights using published data. Search were conducted in Google scholar, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and PubMed, yielding a total of nineteen (19) relevant articles for this study. The data generated analysed using OpenMEE software. Heterogeneity was explored by subgroup and meta-regression analyses using moderator variables (i.e., publication year, strain, gender, inclusion levels, treatment methods, and study periods). The results showed that dietary CM significantly reduced FI [standard mean difference (SMD) = -0.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.41 to -0.25] and ADG [SMD = -0.68; 95% CI -0.85 to -0.50] while increasing FCR [SMD = - 0.37; 95% CI = 0.24 to 0.51] compared to the control group. Restricted subset analysis showed that studied moderators influenced the outcomes of this meta-analysis. Meta-regression revealed that the stage of development of the birds and treatment methods on CM were the significant predictors of FI while gender and treatment methods significantly predicted both ADG and FCR. In conclusion, the inclusion of CM in broiler diets resulted in poor growth performances, possibly due to anti-nutritional compounds such as glucosinolates, erucic acid, sinapine, and tannins. Thus, innovative research on processing methods to enhance the soybean replacement value of CM in broiler production is necessary.

Effect of mixed meal replacement of soybean meal on growth performance, nutrient apparent digestibility, and gut microbiota of finishing pigs

Introduction

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of mixed meal (rapeseed meal, cotton meal, and sunflower meal) replacement soybean meal on growth performance, nutrient apparent digestibility, serum inflammatory factors and immunoglobulins, serum biochemical parameters, intestinal permeability, short-chain fatty acid content, and gut microbiota of finishing pigs.

Methods

A total of 54 pigs with an average initial weight of 97.60 ± 0.30 kg were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups according to their initial weight, with 6 replicates in each group and 3 pigs in each replicate. The trial period was 26 days. The groups were as follows: control group (CON), fed corn-soybean meal type basal diet; Corn-soybean-mixed meal group (CSM), fed corn-soybean meal-mixed meal diet with a ratio of rapeseed meal, cotton meal, and sunflower meal of 1:1:1 to replace 9.06% soybean meal in the basal diet; Corn-mixed meal group (CMM), fed a corn-mixed meal diet with a ratio of Rapeseed meal, Cotton meal and Sunflower meal of 1:1:1 to replace soybean meal in the basal diet completely. The crude protein level of the three diets was maintained at 12.5%.

Results

Our findings revealed no significant impact of replacing soybean meal with the mixed meal (rapeseed meal, cotton meal, and sunflower meal) on the ADG (Average daily gain), ADFI (Average daily feed intake), and F/G (Feed gain ratio) (P > 0.05), or crude protein, crude fat, and gross energy (P > 0.05) in the diet of finishing pigs. Compared with the CON group, the serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) concentrations were significantly decreased in the CMM group (P < 0.05). However, there is no significant effect of the mixed meal (rapeseed meal, cotton meal, and sunflower meal) replacing soybean meal in the diet on the serum interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentrations (P > 0.05). Concordantly, there is no significant effect of mixed meal (rapeseed meal, cotton meal, and sunflower meal) replacing soybean meal in the diet on the serum antioxidant capacity, such as total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of finishing pigs. Moreover, compared with the CON group, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels were significantly lower in the CSM group (P < 0.05) and their total bilirubin (TBIL) levels were significantly lower in the CMM group (P < 0.05). There is not a significant effect on serum D-lactate and diamine oxidase (DAO) concentrations (P > 0.05). The next section of the survey showed that the replacement of soybean meal with a mixed meal (rapeseed meal, cotton meal, and sunflower meal) in the diet did not significantly influence the acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, isobutyric acid, and isovaleric acid in the colon contents (P > 0.05). Furthermore, compared with the CON group, the CMM group diet significantly increased the abundance of Actinobacteria at the phylum level (P < 0.05), U_Actinobacteria at the class level (P < 0.05), and U_Bacteria at the class level (P < 0.05). The result also showed that the CMM group significantly reduced the abundance of Oscillospirales at the order level (P < 0.05) and Streptococcaceae at the family level (P < 0.05) compared with the CON group. The Spearman correlation analysis depicted a statistically significant positive correlation identified at the class level between the relative abundance of U_Bacteria and the serum T. BILI concentrations (P < 0.05). Moreover, a significant negative correlation was detected at the order level between the relative abundance of Oscillospirales and the levels of acetic and propionic acids in the colonic contents (P < 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant positive correlation between the serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 and the relative abundance of the family Streptococcaceae (P < 0.05).

Discussion

This study demonstrated that the mixed meal (rapeseed meal, cotton meal, and sunflower meal) as a substitute for soybean meal in the diet had no significant negative effects on the growth performance, nutrient apparent digestibility, serum immunoglobulins, serum antioxidant capacity, intestinal permeability, short-chain fatty acid content, and diversity of gut microbiota of finishing pigs. These results can help develop further mixed meals (rapeseed meal, cotton meal, and sunflower meal) as a functional alternative feed ingredient for soybean meals in pig diets.

Alternative and Sustainable Protein Sources in Pig Diet: A Review

The search for alternative protein sources to soybean meal (SBM) in animal feeding is a strategic objective to reduce production costs and contribute to sustainable animal production. Spirulina, due to the high protein content, has emerged as a potential cost-effective, sustainable, viable, and high-nutritional-value food resource for many animal species. Insect larvae (Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens) are also considered potential alternatives to SBM, given their high edible percentage of almost 100%, as well as a protein value higher than that of vegetable proteins. Rapeseed meal and grain legumes, such as fava beans, peas, lupins, and chickpea, can also be used as locally producible protein ingredients. This study reviews the nutritional value of these potential alternatives to SBM in pig diets, and their effects on animal performance, digestion, immune system, and the physicochemical and sensorial characteristics of meat, including processed pork products. The limits on their use in pig feeding are also reviewed to indicate gaps to be filled in future research on the supplementation level of these potential alternative protein sources in pig diets.

Effect of Miscellaneous Meal Replacements for Soybean Meal on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters, and Gut Microbiota of 50-75 kg Growing Pigs

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of miscellaneous meal (rapeseed meal, cottonseed meal, and sunflower seed meal) as a replacement for soybean meal on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, serum biochemical parameters, serum free amino acid contents, and gut microbiota of 50-75 kg growing pigs. A total of 54 healthy growing pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) with initial body weights (BWs) of 50.64 ± 2.09 kg were randomly divided into three treatment groups, which included the corn-soybean meal group (CON), corn-soybean-miscellaneous meal group (CSM), and corn-miscellaneous meal group (CM). Each treatment included six replicates with three pigs in each replicate. Dietary protein levels were maintained at 15% in all three treatment groups. Additional rapeseed meals, cottonseed meals, and sunflower seed meals were added to the CSM group's meals to partially replace the 10.99% soybean meal in the CON group in a 1:1:1 ratio. Pigs in the CM group were fed a diet with a mixture of miscellaneous meals (7.69% rapeseed meal, 7.69% cottonseed meal, and 7.68% sunflower seed meal) to totally replace soybean meal. Our findings revealed that there was no significant impact of replacing soybean meal with miscellaneous meal on the ADG (average daily gain), ADFI (average daily feed intake), or F/G (feed-to-gain ratio) (p > 0.05) of growing pigs weighing 50-75 kg, nor on the crude protein, crude fat, or gross energy (p > 0.05) of the diet. On the other hand, compared to the CON group, the CM group exhibited significantly elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and triglyceride (TG) levels (p < 0.05), while urea levels were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). No significant effect was observed on the serum free amino acid contents (p > 0.05) following the substitution of soybean meal with miscellaneous meal. A t-test analysis indicated that compared with the CON group, the CM group exhibited a significantly diminished abundance of Euryachaeota at the phylum level and augmented abundance of Desulfobacterota at the genus level. This study demonstrated that the miscellaneous meals (rapeseed meal, cottonseed meal, and sunflower seed meal) as a substitute for soybean meal in the diet had no significant negative effects on the growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, serum amino acid content, or diversity of fecal microbiota in 50-75 kg growing pigs. These results can be helpful in developing further miscellaneous meals (rapeseed meal, cottonseed meal, and sunflower seed meal) as functional alternative feed ingredients to soybean meal in pig diets.

Effects of dairy and plant protein on growth and growth biomarkers in a piglet model

The increasing world population with improved living conditions has increased the demand for food protein. This has intensified the search for sustainable alternative plant-derived high-quality protein sources for human nutrition. To study the effect of plant and milk proteins on growth in weaned pigs as a model for humans, 96 weaned pigs were divided into 48 pens and fed one of 4 different diets for 3 weeks. The dietary protein originated from either 50% rice + 50% 00-rapeseed protein (RICE + RAPE), 50% milk protein (MPC) + 50% 00-rapeseed protein (MPC + RAPE), 50% milk + 50% rice protein (MPC + RICE), or 100% MPC, and were supplemented with crystalline amino acids to meet the amino acid requirements. Weekly feed intake and body weights were recorded and after 3 weeks, a blood sample was taken 1 hour after a fixed meal, while organ weights were measured, and liver- and muscle tissue, and bone samples were collected at euthanasia. All pigs had a high daily gain and a low feed-to-gain ratio (F : G, feed intake per kg weight gain), but feed intake and daily gain was lowest and F : G highest in the RICE + RAPE diet. Metacarpal bones were longer and heavier in MPC + RICE and MPC fed pigs compared to pigs fed diet RICE + RAPE (P < 0.05), and intermediate in MPC + RAPE fed pigs, with no differences in bone thickness (P > 0.05). Plasma levels of all essential amino acids except Cys and Lys decreased markedly when fed a diet containing only plant protein. The differences were not associated with differences in plasma insulin or IGF-1, nor in the abundance of mRNA related to growth in liver and longissimus dorsi muscle. In conclusion, the growth of piglets fed a combination of milk and rice protein did not differ from the pure dairy-based diet, whereas the pure plant-based diet consisting of rice and rapeseed protein led to reduced growth. This was most likely caused by a lower feed intake and a lower than expected amino acid digestibility of the 00-rapeseed protein. There were no indications that the milk protein, beyond a favourable amino acid composition and high digestibility, specifically stimulated growth factors or other biomarkers of growth via the IGF-1 and insulin signalling pathways.

Impact of diet type and xylanase supplementation on the ileal digestibility of nutrients, and growth performance in growing-finishing pigs

In the experiment, six pigs fitted with a T-cannula at the distal ileum were fed six diets in a 6 × 6 Latin square design. Treatments were corn-soybean meal diet (CS), diet containing wheat by-products (WBP), and diet containing corn distillers dried grains with solubles and canola meal (DDCM) without or with xylanase (X) supplementation (CS-X, WBP-X, and DDCM-X). The WBP and DDCM diets had higher apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of lipids and acid detergent fiber (ADF) (P < 0.05) than CS diets. A xylanase × diet interaction was observed for the AID of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (P < 0.05) showing larger impact of xylanase in WBP than in the other diets. Using similar dietary treatments except for CS-X, growth and body composition of the sixty males (83.0 kg) at the end of the 28-day growing phase showed that pig fed the CS diet had greater average daily feed intake (ADFI) (P = 0.004) and average daily gain (ADG) (P = 0.014) for period 0–14 d but not from 15–28 d. Overall performance (0–28 d) showed higher ADFI (9.5%; P = 0.015) in CS but no difference was observed for ADG and gain to feed ratio (G:F). These results showed that diets containing a high proportion of by-products can give equivalent performance to a CS diet and that adding xylanase for this short period had limited effects.

Effects of cereal and protein source on performance, apparent ileal protein digestibility and intestinal characteristics in weaner piglets

Rye and rapeseed meal (RSM) are alternatives to wheat and soybean meal (SBM) in pig nutrition. The inclusion of rye and RSM instead of wheat and SBM may increase dietary fibre content in the feed, which may affect digestive physiology and intestinal function. However, research on the combined feeding of rye and RSM in piglets is still scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rye and RSM containing feed on growth performance, protein and amino acid digestibility, physical characteristics of the digesta and the intestinal morphology in weaner piglets. A total of 88 piglets aged 28 d were randomly allotted to four different feeding groups at weaning: wheat/SBM, wheat/RSM, rye/SBM, rye/RSM. Cereals were included at 48%, SBM at 25% and RSM at 30%. Body weight gain and feed intake were recorded weekly. After 33 d, piglets were euthanised for assessment of digesta and intestinal morphology. Rye did not affect performance, whilst RSM resulted in reduced weight gain (p = 0.024) and feed intake (p = 0.037). Apparent ileal digestibility of crude protein and amino acids was decreased by rye and RSM (p < 0.05). Rye caused an acidification (p = 0.045) and increased viscosity (p = 0.013) of small intestinal digesta, a lower dry matter content of jejunal and colonic digesta (p < 0.05) and an increased relative weight of the colon tissue (p < 0.001). In conclusion, performance was not reduced when rye was used as an alternative to wheat in diets for weaner piglets. The inclusion of RSM instead of SBM to piglets' diet lowered animal performance under our conditions. Further investigations are warranted to characterise the quality of rapeseed meal and the optimum inclusion level in the diet for young pigs.

Nutrient digestibility of extruded canola meal in ileal-cannulated growing pigs and effects of its feeding on diet nutrient digestibility and growth performance in weaned pigs

Canola meal (CM) contains less crude protein (CP) and more fiber and anti-nutritional factors such as glucosinolates than soybean meal (SBM) and consequently has a lower nutrient digestibility. Therefore, processing strategies that may increase the feeding value of CM warrant study. In two experiments, the effects of extrusion of Brassica napus CM on apparent (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA), apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) in growing pigs, and growth performance and diet digestibility in weaned pigs were assessed. Solvent-extracted CM was extruded using a single-screw extruder at three screw speeds: 250 (CM-250), 350 (CM-350), or 450 (CM-450) rpm. In exp. 1, in a double 4 × 4 Latin square, eight ileal-cannulated barrows (initial body weight [BW], 68.1 kg) were fed corn starch-based diets containing 50% CM or extruded CM. The CM sample contained 43.2% CP, 33.2% total dietary fiber (TDF), and 8.9 µmol of total glucosinolates/g on a dry matter (DM) basis. Extrusion increased (P < 0.05) the AID of CP, reduced (P < 0.05) apparent hindgut fermentation of CP, and decreased (P < 0.05) predicted net energy (NE) value of diets. Extrusion increased diet AID and CM SID of most indispensable AA by 3.1 to 5.3%-units. In exp. 2, 200 weaned pigs (initial BW, 8.3 kg) were fed diets containing 20% SBM, CM, or extruded CM starting 2 wk postweaning for 3 wk. The CM sample contained 42.7% CP, 28.3% TDF, and 5.3 µmol total glucosinolates/g DM. Wheat-based diets provided 2.3 Mcal NE/kg and 5.1 g SID Lys/Mcal NE. Dietary inclusion of extruded CM replacing SBM decreased (P < 0.05) diet ATTD of DM, GE and CP, and DE value. Average daily feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), and gain:feed (G:F) of pigs did not differ between extruded CM and SBM diets and were not affected by extrusion, but increasing extruder screw speed linearly increased (P < 0.05) ADG for day 1 to 7 and G:F for the entire trial. In conclusion, extrusion increased diet AID and CM SID of AA but not DE and predicted NE values of CM. However, increasing extruder speed did not further increase the SID of most of the AA of CM in growing pigs. Dietary inclusion of 20% CM or extruded CM did not affect the growth performance in weaned pigs.

Effects of Long-Term Feeding of Treated Rapeseed Meal on Growth Performance, Blood Mineral Profile and Fatty Acid Composition of Back Fat in Pigs

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with treated rape-seed meal (tRSM) on the growth performance, blood mineral levels and fatty acid composition of back fat in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 12 crossbred pigs (Slovakian White × Landrace) with an initial live weight of 40.82 ± 2.69 kg were divided into two dietary treatments. The experimental period lasted 84 days; 38 days in the growing period and 46 days in the finishing period. The dietary treatments were as follows: control, a SBM-based diet (growing and finishing), and experimental, a treated RSM-based diet (growing and finishing). The rapeseed meal was treated with a product that neutralizes the negative physiological effects of anti-nutritive glucosinolates contained in rapeseed products for livestock feeding. Our analysis showed minor, no significant negative effects of tRSM on live weight, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio. Replacing SBM with tRSM had no significant effects on the proportion of the total saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids of back fat samples, as well as concentrations of analysed serum minerals except zinc level. In conclusion, the inclusion of 25 % and 18 % of treated RSM in growing and finishing pig diets had no negative effects on the growth performance, blood mineral profile or fatty acid composition of back fat.

Replacing soybean meal with rapeseed meal and faba beans in a growing-finishing pig diet: Effect on growth performance, meat quality and metabolite changes

Rapeseed meal and faba beans (RSM/FB) can serve as an alternative to imported soybean meal (SBM). In this study, forty Norwegian crossbred ([Landrace x Yorkshire] x Duroc) growing-finishing pigs (108.7 ± 4.2 kg final BW) were fed a diet with either SBM or RSM/FB as protein sources. RSM/FB increased feed conversion ratio (P = .04) in the finishing period, reduced lightness (P = .04) and yellowness (P = .004) of meat, changed amounts of individual fatty acids, but not of total SFA, MUFA and PUFA. Importantly, RSM/FB reduced the glucose level (P < .05) in meat. Lower pyroglutamic acid (P = .06) in RSM/FB indicate lower oxidative stress in pre-rigor muscle cell. Increased abundance of free amino acids, sweet tasting metabolites, reduced warmed-over flavor and flavor attributes indicated desirable properties of RSM/FB meat. To conclude, RSM/FB in pig diet supported growth performance and carcass quality comparable to SBM and had a positive effect on meat quality.

Rapeseed-based diet modulates the imputed functions of gut microbiome in growing-finishing pigs

Rapeseed meal is a sustainable feed ingredient that can be used as an alternative to imported soybean meal in European pig production. The gut microbiota plays an important role on pig physiology and health but the impact on microbiota of using rapeseed in diets is still not well known. In this study, 84 purebred Norwegian Landrace pigs with average initial weight of 25 kg were divided into two groups and fed for approximately three months with either a control diet containing soybean meal (CON) or a high-fiber experimental diet where 20% rapeseed meal (RSF) was included as an alternative to soybean meal in CON. The composition and function of microbiome in gut digesta samples were analyzed by performing 16S rRNA gene sequencing and culturing of bacteria. The microbiota diversity and composition were similar between the dietary treatments; however, relative abundance of a variety of bacterial groups and imputed functions of microbiome in the ileum and large intestine were altered when the pigs were fed with a rapeseed-based diet. It was notable that the immune-inducing bacterial group Mucispirillum and anti-inflammatory stimulating bacteria Lachnospira were more abundant in the ileum and large intestine of the RSF group, respectively. Moreover, there was a higher abundance of major amino acid fermenters and amylolytic bacteria in the CON group and a high abundance of putative short chain fatty acid producers in RSF group. In comparison with the CON group, the gut microbiome of RSF group possessed an enhanced potential for carbohydrate and energy metabolism and a reduced potential for bacterial pathogenicity-related pathways.