Feeding of Low-Fibre Sunflower (<i>Helianthus annus </i>L.) Meal as Substitute of Soybean Meal in Turkey Rations: Effects on Growth Performance and Meat Quality

Abstract

Soybean meal (SBM) is the most widely and expensive protein source used in the formulation of poultry diets; however, when the price of SBM increases, poultry nutritionists seek alternative sources that are more economical in formulating least-cost rations. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of air classified sunflower meal (SFM) in diets of turkeys on their growth performance, carcass yields and meat quality. A total of 140 1-d-old female turkeys (Nicholas 500) were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments which were fed from hatch to 16 wk. The birds were fed two wheat middlings-based diets comprising of a control diet which contained SBM (145 g/kg) and a test diet containing micronized-air classified SFM (172 g/kg) as the main protein source. The substitution of SBM with sunflower had no adverse effect on growth performance and dressing percentage, improving breast and thigh muscles relative weights of the turkeys. A significant effect was found for feed intake (P＜0.05) which was lower in birds fed diet containing sunflower compared to those fed soybean, without however any negative effects on feed efficiency (P＜0.05). Meat from turkeys fed the sunflower diet had less cholesterol (P＜0.01) and higher concentrations of phospholipids (P＜0.01). Our results suggest that replacing the conventional SBM as protein source, with micronized-air classified SFM in diets of turkeys can improve carcass quality and favourable lipid profile without adverse effects on growth traits, reducing also the production costs.

The effect of a phytogenic additive on nutritional composition of turkey meat

“…Similar values were observed in present experiment. Laudadio et al (2014) ) in legs and breast were 1.1 and 0.5 (Baggio et al, 2002). In comparison with current results, Karakök et al (2010) presented higher contents of DM, protein, ash and lower content of fat in thigh muscles.…”

Growth performance, carcass traits, and blood biochemistry of broiler chicks fed with low-fibre sunflower meal and phytase

“…gizzard, liver, pancreas, and spleen) and cecal pH (P >0.05). Laudadio et al (2014b) found that the substitution of SBM with micronized air-classified SFM (172 g/kg) as the main protein source had no adverse effect on growth performance and dressing percentage, and improved the breast and thigh muscle relative weights of the turkeys. Alagawany et al (2017) observed that increasing dietary inclusion of sunflower meal (0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% replacing SBM) in broiler diets negatively influenced abdominal fat percentage.…”

Effect of partially replacing soybean meal with sunflower meal with supplementation of multienzymes on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, ileal digestibility, digestive enzyme activity and caecal microbiota in broilers

“…Sunflower meal (SFM), a byproduct obtained after oil extraction form sunflower seeds. Sunflower meal (SFM) is relatively cheaper source of protein and serves as suitable alternative to SBM as protein source in poultry feed formulation [3] [5], because of its good protein level, high contents of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin B-complex, and low levels of antinutritional and toxic compounds [4] [6]. The crude protein level of SFM varied from 29 to 45%, depending upon the oil extraction and dehulling process and remain inverse to fiber contents [5] [7,8].…”

“…Sunflower meal (SFM) is relatively cheaper source of protein and serves as suitable alternative to SBM as protein source in poultry feed formulation [3] [5], because of its good protein level, high contents of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin B-complex, and low levels of antinutritional and toxic compounds [4] [6]. The crude protein level of SFM varied from 29 to 45%, depending upon the oil extraction and dehulling process and remain inverse to fiber contents [5] [7,8]. Yet, high level of insoluble fiber and low level of limiting essential amino acids (lysine and methionine), are limiting factors for the use of SFM in poultry diet [2] [3].…”