Protein and energy digestibility of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) in growing pigs

Abstract

Feeding accounts for approximately 70% of the cost, requiring optimization of feed use. This approach requires understanding the nutritional value of raw materials. The objective of this study was to evaluate chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) as a source of protein and amino acids. Eight Landrace × Large-White pigs, weighing 55 ± 2.0 kg, were used. They were from a high-tech farm and housed in metabolic cages in a temperature-controlled room. A "T" cannula was implanted in the terminal ileum and fed twice daily at 2.5 times their maintenance digestible energy requirement (110 kcal/kg^0.75). Four diets were formulated: Casein (C), Soybean Meal (SM), Chickpea (G), and SM-G (SG). Titanium oxide was included as a digestibility marker; water was provided freely. The experimental period consisted of five days of adaptation and two days of collection (08:00 to 18:00 h) of ileal digesta, which was frozen at –20°C until lyophilization. Dry matter, crude protein, amino acids, and titanium oxide were determined. Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) was estimated using the equation: AID=[1–[(ID×AF)/(AD×IF)]]×100. Standardized ileal digestibility (SID) was estimated using the formula SID=SID+(Endogenous/Consumed). Data were analyzed using a Double Latin Square; means were compared using Tukey's test. The SID of protein and amino acids was higher (P<0.05) in C than in G and PS. Amino acids from PS were more digestible (P<0.05) than those from G. The SID of amino acids from G was high (0.904). The average SG diet's DIE was 0.889, suggesting that G did not negatively affect the amino acid digestibility of PS. It is concluded that chickpeas can be used in pig feed due to their protein and amino acid content.