Abstract

RUIZ-SESMA, B et al. Evaluation of soaked velvet bean (Stizolobium deeringiamun) in diets of growing pigs. Universidad y ciencia [online]. 2009, vol.25, n.2, pp.141-150. ISSN 0186-2979.

Velvet bean (FT) (Stizolobium deeringiamun) is widely used in the tropics as a cover crop. Velvet bean seeds are high in proteins and contain toxic substances that may be destroyed by soaking. Little data is available on the use of FT seeds in pig nutrition.The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of FT seeds with and without soaking on the growth of pigs. Dietary treatments (T) were: T1 control, T2 including 25% of non-soaked FT, T3 including 25 % of FT soaked for 24 h at a water:seed ratio of 4:1, T4 same as T3 plus 4 % of lime (Ca(OH)₂) based on the weight of the seeds. Total phenol content was 93.07, 61.83 and 19.51 g/kg for T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Diets were isoproteic and isocaloric, with 15% PC and 3.2 Mcal ME kg^-1. Twenty crossbred growing pigs were used in the study. Treatments were distributed in a completely randomised block design. The evaluated variables were feed consumption (CA), weight gain and feed conversion at 28 days. Feed consumption was 2.218^b, 1.472^c, 2.476ª and 2.476ª kg/day, weight gain was 0.724ª, 0.314^b, 0.652ª and 624ª kg/day, and feed conversion was 3.06ª, 4.69^b, 3.72ªand 3.97^ab for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Soaking of FT seeds increased feed consumption 65% and weight gain108%, and improved feed conversion by 21%, in comparison with T2. Comparing with Tl, the soaked FT presented a 9%, -10% and -22% change in feed consumption, weight gain and feed conversion, respectively. It is concluded that the negative effects of raw FT on pig productivity can be partly overcome by soaking. FT shows potential as an ingredient in pig diets, but more evaluations are needed on the content of real proteins, digestibility, and maximum level of inclusion.

Keywords : Velvet bean; pigs; soaking.

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