REVIEW ▶▶▶
Fresh updates at first Amino Acid Academy
With the increased use of other protein sources in animal diets, the need for more information on how to formulate the feed with the right amino acid balance is becoming more important. This was one of the conclusions from the first Amino Acid Academy.
BY PHILIPPE CALDIER, INDEPENDENT FREELANCE JOURNALIST T
Adequate provi- sion of all amino acids supports the performance of animals.
he event, organised by the EAAP (European Federa- tion of Animal Science) with the support of Ajinomo- to Eurolysine discussed the use of protein and amino acids in animal diets and how they can contribute to
a sustainable future. Experts came together in Paris, France to discuss the different angles to this theme. The event kicked off by explaining that there is more than soy alone. Think of lu- pines, rapeseed or peas. Gilles Tran from AFZ (Association Française de Zootechnie) explained that these and for exam- ple insect meal and algae protein hold the potential to reduce the dependency on soybean meal in the EU. “Many insects have a crude protein or fat content greater than or equal to that of soybean meal. However, the composition of these in- sects is very variable. Red or green algae can be high in pro- tein (typically less than 30% of dry matter, but exceeding 50% in some species used for human consumption). They contain bio-active components (probiotics) and minerals, but the
lysine content is often poor. “Unfortunately the availability of these new protein sources is still limited and thus costly. We also need more information on their variability and their nutritional values.”
Efficiency can be stepped up Paul Bikker of Wageningen University & Research in the Neth- erlands addresses that despite the raw material we use to for- mulate the animal feed, processing the raw materials has a negative effect on amino acids. “This is especially the case for lysine. This loss due to processing is often not taken into ac- count in nutrient evaluation. Often the reduced amino acid levels can be compensated by the addition of synthetic amino acids”, Mr Bikker said. Paul Moughan of Massey University (New Zealand) said. “The protein feed efficiency in animals is relatively low. This is partly explained by an imbalance in ami- no acids”. He continued by saying that the absorption and me- tabolism of amino acids is complex and highly integrated, with continuous flows within and between cells. Mr Moughan: “In farmed animals, losses of amino acids can have two causes: an excessive supply compared to the maximum capacity of genetics to deposit proteins, or a preferential catabolism of amino acids for the supply of energy. I therefore recommend to use biological models simulating the growth of animals to be able to formulate a good diet. For example, ileal – and not faecal digestibility – should be used in pigs and poultry.”
Effect on immune response But what is the effect of amino acids on immunity and animal health? Nathalie Le Floc’h from INRA in France explained that each amino acid intervenes at a precise level. “Some will be constituents of immune proteins, others will be nutrients for immune cells or they may be bioactive molecules or precur- sors of these latest. A threonine deficiency (70% of control) in primiparous sows for example will result in a reduction in the total number of immunoglobulins in the blood plasma”. She further explained that tryptophan and cysteine also have an- ti-inflammatory properties. But when the amino acids are lim- ited in quantity, there may be competition between their pos- sible functions and the animal will not be able to maintain its immune functions. “This is why it is important to add external amino acids to support the immune response of the animals”, Le Floc’h concluded.
36 ▶ ALL ABOUT FEED | Volume 25, No. 10, 2017
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50
