Amino acid digestibility in plant protein sources fed to growing pigs

The objective was to determine standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in 11 plant protein sources fed to growing pigs.

Eleven feed ingredients used were sesame meal, two sources of soybean meal (SBM) produced in the Republic of Korea, a source of SBM produced in India, high-protein distillers dried grains (HPDDG), perilla meal, canola meal, copra meal, corn germ meal, palm kernel expeller, and tapioca distillers dried grains (TDDG). Experimental diets were prepared to contain each test ingredient as a sole source of AA, and a nitrogen-free diet was also prepared to estimate the basal ileal endogenous losses of AA. Twelve barrows surgically fitted with T-cannulas the distal ileum with an initial body weight of 29.0 kg (standard deviation = 3.0) were individually housed in metabolism crates equipped with a feeder and a nipple drinker. A 12 × 9 incomplete Latin square design was employed with 12 experimental diets, 12 animals, and 9 periods. After a 5-d adaptation period, ileal digesta were collected on d 6 and 7 in each experimental period.

Values for apparent ileal digestibility of most indispensable AA in three sources of SBM were greater compared with other test ingredients except HPDDG and canola meal (p<0.05). Pigs fed diets containing SBM sources had also greater SID of most indispensable AA compared with those fed diets containing other test ingredients (p<0.05) except for HPDDG and canola meal. There was no difference in the apparent ileal digestibility and SID of AA among sources of SBM. The TDDG had the least value for the SID of methionine among test ingredients (p<0.05).

Standardized ileal digestibility of most amino acids in soybean meal, high-protein distillers dried grains, and canola meal were greater than those in sesame meal, perilla meal, copra meal, and tapioca distillers dried grains.