Replacing soybean meal with rapeseed meal and faba beans in a growing-finishing pig diet: Effect on growth performance, meat quality and metabolite changes

Abstract

Rapeseed meal and faba beans (RSM/FB) can serve as an alternative to imported soybean meal 35 (SBM). In this study, forty Norwegian crossbred ([Landrace x Yorkshire] x Duroc) growing36 finishing pigs (108.7±4.2 kg final BW) were fed a diet with either SBM or RSM/FB as protein 37 sources. RSM/FB increased feed conversion ratio (P=0.04) in the finishing period, reduced 38 lightness (P=0.04) and yellowness (P=0.004) of meat, changed amounts of individual fatty acids, 39 but not of total SFA, MUFA and PUFA. Importantly, RSM/FB reduced the glucose level (P < 40 0.05) in meat. Lower pyroglutamic acid (P = 0.06) in RSM/FB indicate lower oxidative stress in 41 pre-rigor muscle cell. Increased abundance of free amino acids, sweet tasting metabolites, reduced 42 warmed-over flavor and flavor attributes indicated desirable properties of RSM/FB meat. To 43 conclude, RSM/FB in pig diet supported a high growth performance and carcass quality 44 comparable to SBM and had a positive effect on meat quality.