Nutritional evaluation of grain legumes for poultry : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Poultry Nutrition at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

The nutritional value of faba beans (Vicia faba), Australian sweet lupins (Lupinus angustifolius), white lupins (Lupinus albus) and peas (Pisum sativum) grown in New Zealand for broilers were evaluated in terms of their nutritional characteristics, protein quality (protein efficiency ratio), apparent metabolisable energy, apparent ileal digestibility coefficient of amino acids and the effects on bird performance. The effects of dehulling and extrusion cooking on the nutritive value of legumes were also investigated. The first experiment discussed in Chapter 3 evaluated the effect of cultivars on the nutrient profile and protein quality of chickpeas (Cicer arietinum), Australian sweet lupins, peas and soybeans (Glycine max). With the exception of white lupins, cultivars had no effect on the proximate and fibre composition of grain legumes. Starch was the primary carbohydrate component of chickpeas and peas, whilst non-starch polysaccharides were the major carbohydrates in lupins. The legume proteins were deficient in lysine, methionine, cystine and threonine. No differences were found in protein quality between cultivars of the different grain legume species. The lowest weight gain and protein efficiency ratio, in addition to the highest relative pancreatic weight and mortality rate was found in raw soybeans, suggesting that soybeans contained high a concentration of anti-nutritional factors, such as protease inhibitors. Birds fed chickpeas, lupins and peas had a low mortality rate and relative pancreatic weight, confirming that the level of anti-nutrients in these legume seeds was low. The apparent metabolisable energy and apparent ileal digestibility coefficient of amino acids of faba beans, Australian sweet lupins, white lupins and peas were determined in the second experiment (Chapter 4). Cultivar effect on the apparent metabolisable energy values was observed only for faba beans and white lupins. Faba beans, white lupins and peas had comparable apparent metabolisable energy values, but these values were higher than those of Australian sweet lupins, and lower than that of soybean meal. No cultivar differences were found in the apparent ileal digestibility coefficient of amino acids of grain legumes. The apparent ileal digestibility coefficient of amino acids of both lupin species was found to be comparable to that of soybean meal. The effects of feeding diets containing 200 g/kg faba beans, lupins or peas on the performance, digestive tract development and litter quality of broilers were investigated in the third and fourth trials. In the cage trial (Chapter 5), the results showed that the weight gain of birds fed diets containing grain legumes was similar to that of control diet. Feed intake and feed per gain of birds fed diets containing the majority of grain legume cultivars did not differ from those fed the maize-soy diet. Birds fed diets containing faba beans had more dry and friable excreta compared to other treatment diets. The performance of birds fed diets containing 200 g/kg grain legumes during the 35 d grow-out period, in the floor pen trial (Chapter 6), confirmed the results of the cage trial. In this trial, weight gain and feed per gain of birds fed diets without meat meal were superior to those with meat meal. In cage trials, the modification of some segments of digestive tract development was probably due to the dietary NSP. Whilst in floor pen trial, digestive tract development was not influenced by the inclusion of grain legumes. The effect of methodology of determination (direct vs. difference method) on the apparent ileal digestibility coefficient of amino acids of wheat, maize, Australian sweet lupins, peas and soybean meal for broilers was evaluated in the fifth study (Chapter 7). The influence of methodology on apparent ileal digestibility coefficient of amino acids was found to vary amongst the feed ingredients. In general, the apparent ileal digestibility coefficient of amino acids of test ingredients determined by the difference method was higher than those determined by the direct method, suggesting that the use of the direct method may underestimate the apparent ileal digestibility coefficient of amino acids in low and medium protein ingredients. Data reported in Chapter 8 shows that dehulling increased the apparent metabolisable energy values of faba beans and Australian sweet lupins, but it had no beneficial effect on peas. The increase of apparent metabolisable energy values may be attributed to the decrease in non-starch polysaccharides of these legume seeds after dehulling. The removal of hulls increased the amino acid concentrations, but it had no effect on the apparent ileal digestibility coefficient of most amino acids. These results suggest that dehulling of grain legumes would be nutritionally beneficial and, likely to be economical in view of the improved amino acid concentrations and energy values. The final experiment (Chapter 9) demonstrated that extrusion of peas markedly influenced the content of crude protein, non-starch polysaccharides, starch, and trypsin inhibitors. The soluble non-starch polysaccharides and trypsin inhibitor contents of the majority of extruded pea samples were higher than those of raw peas, but insoluble and total non-starch polysaccharides decreased with extrusion. Extrusion had no effect on the apparent ileal protein digestibility and the apparent metabolisable energy of peas, but it increased ileal starch digestibility

The efficacy of multy-enzymes supplementation on low energy corn-soybean meal basal diet containing rice bran on growth performance of broilers

High energy diet is related to high feed cost. Thus, it is essential to reduce energy diet but still support the good performance of birds. The utilization of low cost- feed ingredients combined with enzymes are the alternative way to do. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of multy-enzyme supplementation on growth performance of broilers fed low energy basal diets containing rice bran. Experiment 1. The apparent metabolizable energy (AME) assay of yellow corn and rice bran. A total of 48 broilers were randomly distributed to 12 cages (4 birds/cage). A maize-soybean meal basal diet (mash form) was formulated and two assay diets were then developed by substituting rice bran (raw 250 g kg-1, w/w) and maize (500 g kg-1, w/w) of the basal diet. Total excreta collection method was used. The results showed that the AME value of rice bran was significantly lower (2032 kcal/kg DM) and 3112 Kcal/kg DM. Experiment II. The experiment was designed using a completely randomized design with four treatments and six replications. A total of 160 DOC (unsex) were randomly distributed to 16 pens (10 birds/pen). The experimental diets were iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetics. The results show that dietary treatments significantly affected (P0.05) FCR and mortality of broilers. Broilers fed P2, P3 and P4 diets had higher (P0.05). In conclusion, 1) the supplementation of enzymes in low energy diets containing rice bran improved BWG and FI but not FCR and mortality. 2) Birds fed rice bran-containing-diets supplemented with enzymes produced similar growth performance

The Efficacy of Mycosorb in Broiler Diets Contaminated with Low Doses of Aflatoxin B1

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of Mycosorb in broiler diets containing a low level of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). A total of 200 male broiler chicks (Lohmann) were randomly distributed into 20 pens (10 birds/pen). The experimental design used was a 2 x 2 factorial completely randomized design with two main factors which were the AFB1 levels (non-detectable level; 2.58 ppb) and mycotoxin binder (MB) (0 and 0.15% Mycosorb), respectively. The treatments were control diet (P1), control diet + MB (P2), 2.58 ppb AFB1 diet (P3), and 2.58 ppb AFB1 diet + MB (P3). The AFB1 diets were formulated by replacing the whole proportion of fresh corn with moldy corn containing 4.22 ppb AFB1. The results showed that except for the digestibility coefficient of crude fat (DCCF), AL x MB interaction was not significant (P>0.05) for the growth performance and DCCP. The AFB1 levels (AL) improved (P0.05) the BWG of starter broilers. The digestibility coefficient of crude protein was not influenced (P>0.05) by the AFB1 levels. DCCF of broilers who received AFB1 diets were lower (P0.05) all variables measured. In conclusion, 1) except for DCCF, AFB1 levels x MB interaction did not improve growth performance and DCCP;  2) the AFB1 level of 2.58 ppb in the diets increased FI and BWG of broilers, but reduced the feed efficiency and DCCF; and 3) Mycosorb did not improve all variables measured

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL QUALITIES OF CORN WITH DIFFERENT MOISTURE LEVELS SUPPLEMENTED WITH MOLD INHIBITOR

Corn grain is used as the main energy source in poultry diet formulation. The quality of corn is easy to deteriorate during storage because of insect, fungal, and mycotoxin contamination. Efforts should be made to maintain the quality of corn during storage. The present study aimed to evaluate the physical and chemical quality of different moisture levels of corn supplemented by a mold inhibitor. A total of 750 kg of corn grain was used in the present study. A commercial mold inhibitor was used with a dose of 0.075%. The experimental design used was a 3 x 2 factorial complete randomized design. The first main factor was the different moisture levels (ML) of corn (≤10%, 10.0-10.9%; 11.0-11.9%), while the second main factor was mold inhibitor (MI, - or +). Thus, there were six treatment combinations, and each treatment comprised five replications. The results showed that ML, MI, and ML x MI interaction significantly (P<0.05 to 0.001) affected the percentage of grain damage and fungal grain but not (P>0.05) the moisture level of corn during 90 days of storage. Except for crude protein content, the ML did not affect (P>0.05) the proximate composition (PC) and gross energy (GE) content of corn. Except for dry matter (DM), the PC and GE content of corn were not affected (P>0.05) by MI. ML x MI interaction did not affect (P>0.05) the PC and GE content. The aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) content was similar (P>0.05) among all treatments. Except for histidine and lysine contents, the amino acid contents of corn were not affected by ML, MI, or ML x MI combination. In conclusion, the supplementation of MI in corn with different ML improved the physical quality, DM, ash, and GE content of corn grain during the storage; MI maintained the DM content but did not reduce the AFB1 content of corn. Except for histidine and lysine, the supplementation of MI in corn with different ML did not affect the amino acid content of corn.&nbsp

Carcass yield and health status of broilers fed aflatoxin B1 diets added with Mycosorb

The intake of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) can lead to poor productivity and diseases in birds. Thus, it is important to minimize the toxic effects of AFB1. The objective of this study was to evaluate the carcass yield and haematological profile of broilers fed diets containing AFB1 added with Mycosorb. A total of 240-day old broiler chicks were randomly distributed to 24 pens (10 birds/pen). The experiment was designed using a 4 x 2 factorial arrangement with two different factors, namely aflatoxin level and Mycosorb. The treatments were control diets, control diets added with Mycosorb, diets containing 10.36 ppb AFB1, diets containing 10.36 ppb AFB1 added with Mycosorb, diets containing 26.97 ppb AFB1, diets containing 26.97 ppb AFB1 added with Mycosorb, diets containing 61.06 ppb AFB1, diets containing 61.06 ppb AFB1 added with Mycosorb. There was an interaction (p0.05) in tcarcass traits (CT), lymphoid organ weight (LOW), and haematological profile (HP) of broilers. Level of AFB1 did not affect (p>0.05) all CT, LOW, and HP, but it affected (p0.05) CT, LOW and HP of broilers.  In conclusions, 1) dietary Mycosorb in afla-treated diets improved litter quality and reduced white blood cell counts of broilers; 2) the AFB1 level up to 61.06 ppb did not impair carcass yield, lymphoid organ weights and other haematological index of broilers