Nine Polish varieties of pea (P. sativum L.) differing in flower colour, from white to purple, were evaluated for chemical and amino acid composition and in vitro for predicted ileal digestibility of protein (pdN) and predicted digestibility of energy (pdE) for pigs. In selected varieties differing in tannin content the apparent metabolizable energy value corrected for zero N balance (AME N ), apparent digestibility of protein and fat and effect of enzymes reducing viscosity of digesta on this parameters were estimated in chickens; apparent metabolizable energy value (AME), true digestibility and biological value of protein was determined in rats.Tannin content had most pronounced negative effect on protein digestibility in chicken (r= -0.93; PO.05) and rats (r= -0.89; PO.05), pdN for pigs (r= -0.98; PO.001) as well as AME N for chicken (r= -0.99; PO.001) and AME for rats (r= -0.95; PO.01), while nutrient content in peas had no significant effect on measured parameters. AME N values of pea did not depend on supplementation of pea-containing diet with xylanase.Seeds of coloured-flowered cultivars, which are rich in tannins are less effectively utilized by monogastric animals than white-flowered ones. The degree of decline in nutrient utilization depends on tannin content in the seeds, which is correlated with the colour of the flowers.

The chemical composition of nine samples of Labofeed H (LH) breeding diet produced by Feeds and Concentrates Production Plant of A. Morawski (Poland) in 1997-1999 was in agreement with declared values except for a slightly lower fat content. The content of nutrients, minerals and essential amino acids conformed with the requirements of laboratory rats and mice for growth and reproduction, given by NRC (1995), except for a lower sulphur amino acids content. Composition, determined nutritional value of protein and metabolisable energy concentration, as well as the effects of feeding LH on growth performance did not differ from the values of the breeding diet produced by Altromin. The diet Labofeed B, designed for adult animals, had lower protein and metabolisable energy concentrations than LH and a similar nutrient profile as the respective Altromin maintenance diet.

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Nutritional value of diets containing 10% potato fibre or cellulose (diets MPF and MC, respectively) and their long-term effects on parameters related to potential health benefits were studied in rats. In a first experiment nutrient digestibility and metabolisable energy of the diets were determined. In a second experiment, each diet was fed to 20 male and 20 female rats aged nine weeks old during 12 (Lot W12) or 24 (Lot W24) weeks. Feed intakes per cage and body weight of rats were registered. In all animals organ weight was determined and in animals of Lot W12 and in males of Lot W24 biochemical blood parameters were analysed. In males of Lot W24, caecal SCFA concentration and body composition were also determined. Testosterone blood concentration was determined in males of Lots W12 and W24. Protein and fat digestibilities were lower, while those of ash, crude fibre and NFE were higher in the MPF than the MC diet. The energy value of the MPF diet was greater but energy intake was similar for both diets. Body weight, body protein and fat contents in males of Lot W24 did not differ between the groups, while body ash was significantly greater in MPF than MC rats (2.64 vs. 2.17 g/100 g BW). SCFA concentration and pool were considerably greater in MPF than MC rats, the SCFA profile being similar. Potato fibre did not affect total cholesterol, whereas it decreased triglycerides and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) in Lot W12 of both genders, and tended to decrease them in males of Lot W24. Blood glucose and testosterone concentrations and relative mass of prostate were significantly depressed by the MPF diet in males of Lot W24. It can be concluded that feeding potato fibre stimulates caecal fermentation, improves mineral absorption and does not affect total cholesterol levels. The concentration of lipids, VLDL, glucose and testosterone depended on potato fibre in an age-dependent way.