Abstract:
Lupinus albus seeds from low-alkaloid varieties are a valuable alternative source of protein
for reducing the dependence on soybean meal for the feeding of monogastric animals. Therefore,
the aim of this research was to evaluate the dehulling influence of lupine seeds (L. albus, cv. Amiga)
and the effect of their use in the laying quails feed on live performance and egg quality. A total
of 200 laying quails (Coturnix japonica), with an age of 10 weeks, were randomly assigned to five
experimental groups (five replicates/group). Each group was randomly assigned to one of five
dietary treatments: the control group (C) diet was based on soybean meal, while the experimental
groups received either 200 g/kg (WLS20) or 250 g/kg (WLS25) of whole lupine seeds in their diets, or
200 g/kg (DLS20) or 250 g/kg (DLS25) of dehulled lupine seeds in their diets. The results show that
by dehulling the lupine seeds, the nutritional value of the seeds increased. The use of dehulled lupine
seeds in the diet of laying quails did not affect the live performance (egg production, feed intake,
feed conversion ratio), yolk cholesterol content, and physico-chemical quality indices of the eggs,
compared with control. The presence of dehulled lupine seeds in the diet improved the nutritional
quality of the yolk lipids because of the increase in the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Thus,
the lipid quality indices of the yolk became more favorable to consumer health because of an increase
in the h/H ratio (hypocholesterolemic/Hypercholesterolemic FA) and a decrease in the atherogenic
index and thrombogenic index values. The higher content in carotenoids also contributed to the
higher nutritional quality of the eggs obtained by lupine utilization. In conclusion, dehulling of
lupine seeds had a positive influence on the nutritional quality of the seeds, the live performance of
quails, and the quality of eggs.
