Raw Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) as a Substitute of Soybean Meal in Compound Feed for Broiler Chickens: Effects on Growth Performance, Lipid Metabolism, Fatty Acid Profile, Antioxidant Status, and Dietary Value of Muscles

Dietary Replacement of Soybean Meal with Zanthoxylum bungeanum Seed Meal on Growth Performance, Blood Parameters, and Nutrient Utilization in Broiler Chickens

Zanthoxylum bungeanum seed meal (ZBM), a novel plant protein raw material, has shown promising potential in enhancing the growth of broiler chickens as a substitute for soybean meal (SBM) in feed. In the artificial digestive experiment of vitro experiments, the digestibility of ZBM and SBM were assessed using the SDS-III Single Stomach Animal Biometric Digestion System. Subsequently, 180 1-day old AA chicks were divided into three groups for in vivo experiments: corn-soybean-meal-based diet (CON group); ZBM replacing 5% soybean meal in the basal diet (ZBM-1 group); ZBM replacing 10% soybean meal in the basal diet (ZBM-2 group). The experiment period lasted for 42 days. Compared to SBM, ZBM demonstrated higher crude protein content, dry matter digestibility, and extracorporeal digestible protein. Compared with the CON group, the broilers in the ZBM-2 group showed improved ADG and ADFI during the 1-21 d, 22-42 d, and 1-42 d periods (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the ZBM groups exhibited significant increases in slaughter performance compared with the CON group (p < 0.05). The substitution of ZBM for SBM also leads to a significant reduction in serum enzyme indicators (p < 0.05). Additionally, the lipoprotein and total cholesterol of the ZBM groups were significantly lower than those of the CON group (p < 0.05). Substituting SBM with ZBM significantly enhances the activity of superoxide dismutase and the content of immunoglobulin G in broiler serum, while reducing the content of malondildehyde (p < 0.05). The ZBM groups showed significantly higher utilization of dry matter, crude protein, and energy compared with the CON group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the study confirmed that the substitution of SBM with 5-10% ZBM in broiler diets has a significant positive effect on growth, development, antioxidant capacity, immune function, and nutrient utilization. This study not only provides a theoretical foundation for the utilization of ZBM in broiler diets but also offers an effective approach for reducing reliance on soybean meal.

Assessing the effects of microencapsulated Lactobacillus salivarius and cowpea seed supplementation on broiler chicken growth and health status

This study aimed to assess the nutritional quality of cowpea seeds (cv. Doljana - CSD) and the impact of partially replacing soybean meal with CSD, along with the supplementation of microencapsulated Lactobacillus salivarius (LS), on the growth performance, selected carcass traits, biochemical plasma profile, tibia bone quality, and microbial populations in the ceca and excreta of broiler chickens aged 1 to 35 days. A total of 432 mixed-sex Ross 308 broiler chickens, aged one day, were randomly allocated to four groups, with 108 birds in each group, further divided into 6 pens containing 18 birds each. The experimental design featured a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with two cowpea seed levels (CSD0 and CSD15%) and the presence or absence (Yes/No) of microencapsulated LS probiotic (0 and 1 g/kg feed). The experimental diets did not significantly influenced (p > 0.05) production performances. However, the production efficiency factor was notably higher in the CSD0 (336.8%) and CSD15 (332.2%) groups with LS compared to CSD0 (322.4%) and CSD15 (320.6%) groups without LS supplementation. Regarding carcass traits, the CSD15 group with LS supplementation exhibited higher dressing (70.69%) and liver (2.47%) percentages compared to the other groups. Plasma profile analysis revealed significant reductions (p < 0.05) in total cholesterol (from 115 mg/dL to 105 mg/dL) and triglycerides (from 54.80 mg/dL to 46.80 mg/dL) in the CSD15 group with LS supplementation compared to the CSD0 group, with or without LS supplementation. Moreover, the CSD15 group with LS had significantly higher total protein, albumin, and calcium levels and significantly lower (p < 0.05) uric acid levels compared to the CSD0 group, irrespective of LS supplementation. Tibia bone traits and minerals showed no significant effects. However, the pH exhibited a linear decrease from 6.90 in the CSD0 group without LS to 6.69 in the CSD15 group with LS supplementation. In terms of cecal microbial populations, Coliforms decreased from 7.14 CFU/g in the CSD15 group without LS to 5.48 CFU/g in the CSD15 group with LS. Significant alterations were also observed in Clostridium spp., E. coli, Enterococcus spp., and Staphylococcus spp. in the ceca and excreta of the CSD15 group with LS supplementation compared to the CSD0 group, with or without LS supplementation. Beneficial bacteria, specifically Lactobacillus spp., significantly increased in the cecal content of CSD0 (9.06 CFU/g) and CSD15 (9.01 CFU/g) groups with LS compared to CSD0 (8.41 CFU/g) and CSD15 (8.11 CFU/g) groups without LS. In summary, this study suggests that cowpea seeds can be used as a partial replacement for soybean meal in broiler chicken diets, and microencapsulated Lactobacillus salivarius can be employed as a probiotic supplement.

Effect of soybean meal substitution with raw chickpea (Cicer arietinum l.) Seeds on growth performance, selected carcass traits, blood parameters, and bone quality in male broilers

The study determined the effect of introducing 50% of protein from the protein feed pool derived from raw chickpea seeds instead of 50% of soybean meal in the rearing period from day 22 to 42 on the coefficients of nutrient digestibility, growth performance, selected carcass traits, the hematological and metabolic profile of blood, and the quality of femur bones in male Ross 308 broilers. The study was carried out on 200 22-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks (initial weight of 756 g) randomly assigned to two groups (n=100 in each group; 5 cages with 20 birds each). All birds were reared for 42 days. They were fed isonitrogenous and isoenergetic pre-experimental starter diet (day 1 to 21) in the crumble form and experimental grower-finisher diets (day 22 to 42) in the pelleted form. From rearing day 22, SBM male broilers (grower/finisher) were fed diets with 100% SBM as a protein source. In the diet for the CPR group (grower and finisher), the SBM protein was replaced with 50% of CPR-derived protein. During the grower and finisher stage and between days 22 and 42, the CPR group exhibited significant (P=0.032) reductions in feed intake (FI), higher (P=0.043) slaughter yields, high (P=0.044) % share of breast muscles, and reduced (P=0.003) abdominal fat content. The addition of CPR influenced some blood parameters. The level of total protein, urea, and Mg decreased, whereas the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate transaminase (ALT) increased. In the CPR group, an increase in the physical, morphometric, and some strength parameters of the femur (maximum elastic strength – Wy, yielding deformation – dy, bone density index – BDI, and Young’s modulus) was observed. Therefore, CPR may be a promising partial substitute of SBM in broiler nutrition, as it enhances production performance and has a beneficial effect on bone quality.

Widely Targeted Metabolomics Analysis of Soybean and Chickpea and Their Different Advantages and New Functional Compounds for Diabetes

Soybean is widely used as a kind of bean for daily consumption. Chickpea is increasingly utilised because of its good healthcare function. At present, using chickpeas could have better results than soybeans in some areas. Previous studies of the two legumes focused on certain components and failed to fully reveal the differences between the two legumes. Thus, understanding the comprehensive similarities and differences between the two legumes is necessary to apply and develop these legumes effectively. In this study, we performed a UPLC-ESI-MS/MS-based widely targeted metabolomics analysis on two legumes. A total of 776 metabolites (including primary metabolites and secondary metabolites) were detected, which were divided into more than a dozen broad categories. The differential analysis of these metabolites showed that there were 480 metabolites with significant differences in relative contents between the two legumes. Compared with soybean, the expression of 374 metabolites of chickpea was down-regulated and that of 106 metabolites was up-regulated. The metabolic pathway analysis showed significant differences in the flavonoids biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, linoleic acid metabolism and alkaloid biosynthesis between the two legumes. The advantages and applicability of the two kinds of legumes were confirmed through the analysis of anti-diabetic components. Moreover, some novel compounds (with contents higher than that of soybean) with hypoglycaemic activity were found in chickpea. This study provides an important reference for the in-depth study and comparative application of soybean and chickpea.

Physical Treatment Reduces Trypsin Inhibitor Activity and Modifies Chemical Composition of Marama Bean (Tylosema esculentum)

The utility of the marama bean (MB) as an alternative protein source to soybean (SB) can be limited by the high concentration of trypsin inhibitors (TI). The physical treatment of MB has the potential to ameliorate the antinutritional activities of TI and modify other chemical components. Thus, this study investigated the effects of physical treatments on the chemical components and trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) of raw MB and SB. The bean substrates were subjected to each of the following treatment methods: (1) room temperature (20−22 °C) soaking for 24 h; (2) electric stove cooking at 100 °C for 10, 20, and 30 min; (3) steam autoclaving at a temperature of 110 °C and pressure of 7 pounds per square inch (psi), as well as a temperature of 121 °C and 7 psi for 5, 15, and 30 min; (4) pre-soaked autoclaving at 110 °C (7 psi) and 121 °C (17 psi) for 5, 15, and 30 min. Treated MB and SB had greater (p < 0.05) crude protein content than untreated samples. All the treatments (except 24 h soaking of MB) reduced (p < 0.05) the TIA and ash content. Marama and SB are similar in protein content, but their amino acids profile and TIA are quite different. Soaking for 24 h was less effective in reducing TIA in MB and SB, compared to the thermal methods, and it was detrimental to the ash and amino acids profile of the two beans. Soaking prior to autoclaving yielded beans with the lowest TI concentrations. In conclusion, thermal methods reduced the TI contents and modified the level of proximate components and amino acids profile of the beans.

Effect of Raw Chickpea in the Broiler Chicken Diet on Intestinal Histomorphology and Intestinal Microbial Populations

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of partial replacement of SBM protein with CPR-derived protein in the broiler rearing period from 22 to 42 days of age on the intestinal histomorphology and the composition of the intestinal microbial population. Male broiler chicks aged 1 day were assigned to two groups with different nutrition schemes (n = 100 in each, 5 cages of 20 chicks in each). The chickens were reared for 42 days. All birds were fed isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets: starter (1 to 21 d), grower (22 to 35 d), and finisher (36 to 42 d). From rearing day 22, different diets were provided to the birds: the SBM group received feed with 100% soybean meal protein, and the diet of the CPR group the protein originated from soybean meal was replaced by 50% chickpea protein. The study results indicated a significant impact of the inclusion of CPR in the diet on the basic intestinal structures (thickness of myenteron: submucosa, jejunum and duodenum mucosa, and jejunum transversal lamina). The addition of CPR led to shortening of intestinal villi, an increase in villus thickness, and reduced intestine absorptive surface in the duodenum and jejunum. The CPR group exhibited a significantly lower villus length-to-crypt depth ratio in the jejunum (p < 0.001). The inclusion of chickpeas in the diet increased the total count of mesophilic bacteria and coliforms in the intestinal contents (p < 0.05). In summary, it has been demonstrated that the inclusion of CPR in the diet induced considerable disturbances in metabolism and intestinal structure. Although CPR is a cheap protein source, its use in poultry diet does not ensure development of the intestinal structure comparable to that in the case of an SBM-only diet.