The nutritional value of air-classified protein and starch fractions of zero-tannin faba bean and field pea for swine

Air-classified zero-tannin faba bean and field pea starch and protein fractions were compared to feedstuff standards for swine in three studies. In Exp. 1, the nutrient digestibility of these pulse fractions was characterized in grower pigs. Faba bean and field pea protein and starch concentrates were superior in nutrient digestibility than soy protein concentrate and corn starch, respectively. In Exp. 2, faba bean and field pea protein concentrates were tested against a combination of three specialty protein feedstuffs in weaned pig diets. Pigs fed pulse or specialty proteins did not differ in growth performance. In Exp. 3, faba bean and field pea starch concentrates were tested against two cereal and two tuber starches on N balance, nutrient digestibility and growth performance. The starch source affected the daily N retention, but the efficiency of utilization of protein was not different in the weaned pig depending on the starch source fed. With the completion of this research, we established the nutrient digestibility coefficients for air-classified protein and starch fractions of zero tannin faba bean and field pea and these were compared with feedstuff standards furthermore, the use of the fractions was validated in weaned pig diets.