Qualitative profile of degummed guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) seeds grown in a Mediterranean area for use as animal feed

The effect of dietary supplementation with guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) meal protein on the quality and chemical composition of pig carcasses

Recent research efforts have focused on replacing expensive imported genetically modified soybean meal (GM SBM) as a protein source in animal diets with guar meal characterized by similar nutritional characteristics, which could improve meat quality. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of guar meal protein fed to pigs on carcass quality and the content of major nutrients and fatty acids in the longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle. Pigs were divided into four groups. Control group (1) animals were fed diets containing SBM as the main protein source. In diets for experimental groups 2, 3 and 4, SBM protein was replaced with guar meal protein in 25%, 50% and 75%, respectively. It was found that SBM replacement with guar meal protein at 25% affected carcass weight and the lean content, fat content and protein content of the LL muscle. An analysis of linear correlations revealed a strong negative correlation between the concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in the LL muscle of pigs fed diets containing 25% of guar meal protein, which is nutritionally desirable. The results of this study suggest that the dietary inclusion of guar meal protein at up to 25% of SBM protein has no negative effects on the fattening performance of pigs. Meat quality was not affected by diets fortified with guar meal protein.

Nutritional Indices for Assessing Fatty Acids: A Mini-Review

Dietary fats are generally fatty acids that may play positive or negative roles in the prevention and treatment of diseases. In nature, fatty acids occur in the form of mixtures of saturated fatty acid (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), so their nutritional and/or medicinal values must be determined. Herein, we do not consider the classic indices, such as ∑SFA, ∑MUFA, ∑PUFA, ∑n-6 PUFA, ∑n-3 PUFA, and n-6 PUFA/n-3 PUFA; instead, we summarize and review the definitions, implications, and applications of indices used in recent years, including the PUFA/SFA, index of atherogenicity (IA), the index of thrombogenicity (IT), the hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio (HH), the health-promoting index (HPI), the unsaturation index (UI), the sum of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA + DHA), fish lipid quality/flesh lipid quality (FLQ), the linoleic acid/α-linolenic acid (LA/ALA) ratio, and trans fatty acid (TFA). Of these nutritional indices, IA and IT are the most commonly used to assess the composition of fatty acids as they outline significant implications and provide clear evidence. EPA + DHA is commonly used to assess the nutritional quality of marine animal products. All indices have their advantages and disadvantages; hence, a rational choice of which to use is critical.

Determining Potential Feed Value and Silage Quality of Guar Bean (Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba) Silages

This study was carried out to determine the effects of some additives on the potential nutritional value and silage quality of guar bean (Cluster bean = Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) silages. It was hypothesized that the use of cereal grains, molasses and ecomass will reduce silage fermentation pH by increasing lactic acid production and positively improve CP content and silage quality. Four different silage groups were established; (control, grain (5%), molasses (10%) and ecomass+molasses (10%+5%)). Fresh guar beans were thoroughly mixed with the additives to homogenize, then ensiled and opened after 60 days. The results of this study revealed that guar bean silages could be used as an alternative forage in ruminant feeding because of its higher protein content (13.88%), forage feed value and silage quality. The use of molasses (GSM) and molasses + ecomass (GSEM) as additives has significantly (P ≤0.01) increased the silage quality and feed value compared to the control group. It was observed that GSM and GSEM silage groups had the highest values in terms of lactic acid content. In conclusion, guar silage can be used as an alternative feed for ruminants, but the doses of barley and molasses should be correct and tested in in vivo studies.