Soybean Replacement by Alternative Protein Sources in Pig Nutrition and Its Effect on Meat Quality

Soybean is one of the most expensive and limiting feed ingredients in diet formulations; however, in pig farming, it represents the main source of protein. The production and supply of soybean are critical steps due to their environmental impact and feed/food competition for land use. Therefore, research is focusing on finding alternatives to replace soybean partially or totally. However, alternative ingredients should ensure similar growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality characteristics compared to conventional soybean-based diets. The objective of this review was to evaluate the impact of different alternative protein sources to soybean in pig nutrition and their effects on growth performance, carcass, and meat quality traits. The review process was performed on Scopus^®, and it considered research findings published from 2012 to the present on the Sus scrofa species. Articles without a control group fed with soybean were discarded. The main alternative protein sources identified were other legumes and distillers' dried grain with solubles (fish and animal proteins, oilseed by- and co-products). Interesting innovative protein sources included by-products from other industries (residues), microalgae and insects. Nevertheless, in dietary formulations, close attention must be paid to address the nutritional requirements, balance the supply of amino acids, avoid anti-nutritional or toxic compounds occasionally present in alternative protein sources, as well as determine the availability of protein feed in specific geographical areas.