Influence of dehulling on the apparent metabolisable energy and ileal amino acid digestibility of grain legumes for broilers

BACKGROUND: Removal of hulls may be an effective means of reducing the level of some antinutritional factors and improving the feeding value of grain legumes. Published data on the effects of dehulling on the energy utilisation and amino acid digestibility of grain legumes are limited. This study was designed to investigate the influence of dehulling on the nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn) and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility of faba beans, Australian sweet lupins and peas for broilers. RESULTS: The non-starch polysaccharide contents of all three legume species were decreased by the removal of hulls. Dehulling increased (P < 0.05) the content and ileal digestibility of starch in faba beans but had no effect (P > 0.05) on those in peas. Dehulling increased (P < 0.05) the AMEn of faba beans and lupins but had no effect (P > 0.05) on that of peas. Removal of hulls increased the amino acid concentrations in all three legume species, but the apparent ileal digestibility coefficients of most amino acids were unaffected (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dehulling of grain legumes is nutritionally beneficial in view of the improved amino acid concentrations and metabolisable energy values. (C) 2010 Society of Chemical Industry