Food Anis DCA
In production experiments, an increasing amount of clover grass protein was added to the feed for broilers and slaughter pigs. The purpose of this is to find a more sustainable alternative to e.g. soy protein. A group of researchers from Aarhus University examined this.
[Translate to English:] AU-forskere har undersøgt, hvordan kløvergræsprotein i foderet til slagtekyllinger og slagtesvin påvirker kødkvaliteten. Foto: Colourbox.
Since 2016, a series of production experiments in broilers and slaughter pigs has been carried out, in which an increasing amount of clover-grass protein products were added to their feed rations. This was accomplished with a view to circular bioeconomy and the development of bio-refined fresh clover grass intended as a replacement for other protein products such as e.g. soy.
- The broiler experiment demonstrated that an allocation of more than 8 % clover-grass protein resulted in poorer growth and reduced feed utilization. On the other hand, there was no difference in production results for slaughter pigs at an allocation of up to 15 % clover-grass protein, says Associate Professor Margrethe Therkildsen, Department of Food Science. This is probably due to the higher clover-grass protein concentration – and thus higher quality – in the slaughter pig feed.
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The experiments further demonstrated a change in the composition of the meat as a result of increasing the clover-grass protein in the feed rations:
- We witnessed a change in the fatty acid composition for both broilers and slaughter pigs. The change was towards more n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which is positive from a nutritional perspective. The concentration of vitamins acting as antioxidants was reduced. Thus, we observed a lower concentration of e.g. vitamin E in the meat at increased amounts of clover-grass protein. We expect this to be due to an increased consumption of antioxidants in the meat in order to inhibit oxidation of unsaturated fat.
The DCA report further includes results from an organic project with free-range broilers and slaughter pigs as well as results from peer-reviewed literature:
- No additional meat and eating quality analyses have been carried out in relation to broilers fed clover-grass protein, but experiments with free-range broilers given access to grass and herbs demonstrate the same change in fatty acid composition.
However, there are no changes in oxidation or sensory perception of meat taste and aroma, says Margrethe Therkildsen, and she continues:
- Meat and eating quality of meat from slaughter pigs remain unaffected by increased amounts of clover-grass protein products. The results from free-range slaughter pigs support these findings, and we did not identify any effect of increased grass and herb intake on the taste and aroma of two examined muscles, cooked as pork chops and roast, respectively.
The production experiment results thus indicate that an allocation of refined clover-grass protein in feed for broilers and slaughter pigs constitutes a promising alternative to soy protein:
- We are able to identify a level at which major parts of e.g. soy protein may be replaced by clover-grass protein products without affecting meat and eating quality. However, further studies should be accomplished in order to examine how much high-quality clover-grass protein should be added to broiler feed. At the same time, we need to study the level of vitamin E, or other antioxidants, to be added to both broiler and slaughter pig feed in order to avoid undesirable oxidation of the meat, says Margrethe Therkildsen.
The present report was prepared at a request from the Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark as part of the “Framework Agreement between the Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark and Aarhus University on the provision of research-based policy support to the Ministry 2019-2022”. As part of this assignment, new data has been gathered and processed, and the report presents results, that – at the time of the present report’s publication – have not been peer-reviewed or otherwise published. If later published in scientific journals with peer review, changes may occur.
The results presented in the report are based on the following projects carried out at Aarhus University:
· Superb and Marketable Meat from Efficiant and Robust Animals (SUMMER). The project is accomplished; funded by the Green Development and Demonstration Programme, Organic RDD (2011-2013)
· Multiplant – Multifunctional Perennial High-value Crops in Organic Plant Production. The project is accomplished; funded by the Green Development and Demonstration Programme, Organic RDD (2014-2017)
· SuperGrassPork – Organic Pig Production based on Green Protein. The project is accomplished; funded by the Green Development and Demonstration Programme, Organic RDD (2017-2019)
· GreenPork – Organic Pork produced by Grass Protein. Accomplished and funded by Fonden for Økologisk Landbrug (Fund for Organic Farming) (2019)
Department of Food Science – Differentiated and Biofunctional Foods
Assistant Professor Lene Stødkilde-Jørgensen
Department of Animal Science – Molecular Nutrition and Reproduction