Protein Sources in Animal Nutrition: Uses and Trends
For production animals, achieving optimal developmental stages requires a diet rich in balanced nutrition. Feed constitutes the largest portion of operational costs in animal production, typically around 70%, with protein being the most expensive component within that. Studies show that roughly one-third of this cost is directly attributable to protein alone. From a chemical standpoint, proteins are essentially chains of amino acids linked together via peptide bonds. When consumed, these proteins are broken down in the digestive system into smaller peptides and free amino acids, which are then absorbed and metabolized to create new proteins in various tissues like muscle or functional proteins such as enzymes. Amino acids are categorized into non-essential and essential types, where the latter must be provided through dietary intake. Given its critical role in feed formulation, zootechnicians and animal nutritionists often seek out ingredients with high protein content and an appropriate balance of amino acids at lower costs. By doing so, they can explore innovative protein sources that cater to these requirements. Proper nutrition ensures robust growth and health in livestock, even amidst the stressors associated with intensive farming. Utilizing novel protein sources, such as hydrolyzed proteins, enhances the animal’s performance while offering additional benefits like antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiparasitic properties. Brazil’s agro-industry is a major producer of diverse protein sources. For instance, soybean processors supply soybean meal, a rich protein derivative. Meanwhile, the meat processing sector contributes proteins extracted from carcasses or visceral remains. In subsequent sections, we’ll delve into newer protein sources that boast high amino acid availability and digestibility. Multiple plant-based protein sources exist, with soybean, sunflower, canola, and wheat being among the primary ones. Plant-based proteins are often imbalanced in amino acids and contain anti-nutritional factors such as non-starchy polysaccharides, phytic acid, tannins, and alkaloids. Techniques like heat treatments or enzyme applications are employed to counteract these issues, for example, inactivating trypsin inhibitors in soybeans or using phytases to reduce phytates. With soy being the most widely used plant protein globally, we'll focus on it and some of its derivatives in this article. Soy (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) ranks as one of the most significant legumes worldwide, with the Americas producing about 80% of global output, while Brazil handles half of the international trade. Its extensive cultivation stems from its high-quality protein content alongside edible oil production. Soy derivatives are highly nutritious and appealing to the senses, making them popular feed ingredients. Soy Protein Concentrate (SPC), launched in the 1950s, is a key product derived from soybeans. It contains a minimum of 70% protein and lacks anti-nutritional components, making it ideal for animal nutrition. SPC boasts features such as improved gelation and paste formation due to its peptide arrangement and hydrophilic nature. Soybean Meal is a vital derivative for animal nutrition. Its production arises from soybean oil extraction. Initially underutilized, research over decades has highlighted its potential in swine, cattle, and poultry diets. Current research focuses on amino acid digestibility, anti-nutritional factors, and energy values. Compared to other plant proteins, soybean meal shows less variability and fewer anti-nutritional compounds. It's commonly sold with crude protein levels ranging from 40% to 48%, adjustable by blending with other by-products like soy hulls. Animal proteins in meals come from meat processing leftovers otherwise unsuitable for human consumption. Common sources include: Produced in rendering plants, this meal consists of animal bones and tissues from cattle, swine, and sheep. It serves as both a protein and mineral source, particularly calcium and phosphorus. Variability in composition exists due to inconsistent bone-to-meat ratios. Higher mineral content reduces protein levels; it’s usually sold based on crude protein concentration (35%, 40%, 45%, or 55%). Processed poultry feathers yield hydrolyzed feather meal with 78-92% crude protein, mostly keratin (85-95%). While it has low digestibility due to keratin's bonds, enzymatic treatment can enhance its usability. Poultry processing by-products like viscera, blood, and bones produce viscera meal, which contains 55-70% crude protein. Digestibility varies depending on the cooking process and inclusion of other raw materials. Hydrolysis improves digestibility, enhancing feed performance. Quality ingredients remain paramount in feed formulation. Research continues to uncover new processes, such as enzymatic hydrolysis, which creates functional peptides offering enhanced performance and novel ingredients. New technologies and alternative protein sources lead to innovative ingredients addressing nutritional and functional needs. Highlighted alternatives include functional peptides and chicken protein hydrolysates. Peptides are short protein sequences (2-20 amino acids) derived from digestion or fermentation. These bioactive molecules positively impact physiological systems, boosting animal performance. Although understanding their mechanisms fully remains a work in progress, initial findings suggest significant health benefits, encouraging their inclusion in feed formulations. By-products like poultry viscera undergo enzymatic processing, releasing amino acids and small peptides. Easily absorbed, this ingredient has a high protein content (over 75%), balanced amino acid profile, and good palatability for fish like Nile Tilapia. Chicken Protein Hydrolysate (CPH) improves animal performance and health, serving as a hypoallergenic source. Standard hydrolyzed feather meal lacks digestibility due to protein bonds. Proteolytic processes break these bonds, creating more digestible peptides. Insect meals show promise in animal nutrition, especially Tenebrio molitor, with 45-65% protein. Research suggests replacing traditional proteins with insect meal in poultry and swine diets, showing comparable or superior growth rates. Alternatives to soybean meal are being explored in swine nutrition, including cottonseed, rice bran, and legume seeds. Yeasts and bee pollen also offer promising protein substitutes. Research teams continually develop new protein sources, balancing nutrition and functionality. Novel protein sources are increasingly essential in animal nutrition, adding value to by-products. Enzymatic hydrolysis producing bioactive peptides is a growing trend, offering functional proteins with high biological value. DIYAS development Limited , https://www.diyastea.comPlant-Based Proteins
Soy
Soybean Meal
Animal-Origin Proteins
Meat and Bone Meal
Feather Meal
Poultry Meal
Trends in Processed Proteins
Functional Peptides
Chicken Protein Hydrolysate
Feather Enzymatic Hydrolysate
Insect Meal
Alternative Sources
Conclusion