Replacing Soybean Meal with Grain Legumes (Peas, Faba Beans, and Lupins) in Ruminant Nutrition: Benefits, Nutritional Challenges, and Strategies for Reducing Anti-Nutritional Factors

Population growth and increasing demand for animal protein have turned the severe dependence of the livestock industry on soybean meal (SBM) into a global challenge. Soybean cultivation is associated with environmental problems such as deforestation, soil erosion, and greenhouse gas emissions. This review aims to investigate the potential of grain legumes such as peas (Pisum sativum), faba beans (Vicia faba), and lupins (Lupinus spp.) as sustainable and accessible alternatives to soybean meal in ruminant nutrition. With a crude protein content of ۲۰ to ۴۰% and the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, these legumes represent suitable economical and local options. However, the presence of anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) such as trypsin inhibitors, tannins, alkaloids, and phytic acid reduces protein digestibility and bioavailability. A review of the available studies indicates that including ۱۵ to ۳۸% peas or faba beans in the diet of dairy cows and lambs is feasible without negatively affecting milk production, growth performance, or meat quality. Despite its favorable amino acid profile (especially arginine), lupin requires caution due to its alkaloid content. Simple and effective strategies such as soaking, heat treatment, wet extrusion, germination, and solid-state fermentation can significantly reduce the levels of these anti-nutritional factors. In conclusion, grain legumes have a high potential to replace a substantial portion of soybean meal in ruminant diets and contribute to the ecological sustainability of livestock production.

کلیدواژه ها:

Soybean meal ، Replacement ، Ruminants ، Lupin ، Faba bean