Impiego di fonti proteiche alternative alla soia nell'alimentazione del suino pesante

The aim of this study was to evaluate productive performances and some meat quality characteristics derived from heavy pigs fed pea or faba bean seeds as protein source in the diet. The trial was carried out using 36 post-weaned female piglets divided into the three dietary treatments; one group received only soybean as protein source while the others received 20% of pea and 18% of faba bean in partial substitution of soybean. Data recorded were feed consumption, live weight, backfat depth, rump width, chemical composition and fatty acids profi le of meat. The different diets did not affect any tested productive parameters. As regard chemical composition it seems that feed based on pea induced a higher and signifi cant content in dry matter. The different feed fatty acid composition of the three diets has no effect on fatty acid profi le of meat. Animal performances and meat characteristics did not seem to be infl uenced by the diet and therefore faba bean and pea, as partial substitutes of soybean, represent an interesting alternative protein sources in pigs’ diet.