The enhancement of the nutritive value of peas for broiler chickens: an evaluation of micronization and dehulling processes.

The effects of dehulling and micronization (infrared heating) on the nutritive value of three cultivars (Impala, Radley, and Sirius) of peas (Pisum sativum) varying in coat color for broiler chickens were studied. Dehulling increased (P < or = 0.05) protein and starch contents and decreased (P < or = 0.05) fiber content of peas. Also, the concentrations of most amino acids slightly increased (P > or = 0.05). Micronization slightly changed (P > or = 0.05) the chemical composition of peas. Moisture, protein, fiber and phosphorus contents marginally decreased. The concentrations of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, isoleucine, lysine, cystine, threonine, and tyrosine decreased (P < or = 0.05), whereas that of methionine slightly increased (P > or = 0.05). Lysine concentration was decreased by 2.7%. The TMEn and average true AA availability values determined with adult cockerels were improved (P < or = 0.05) by micronization, but the availabilities of lysine were decreased by 11.3, 4.4, and 2.0% for Impala, Radley and Sirius, respectively. The decrease was significant (P < or = 0.05) for Impala and Radley but not significant for Sirius peas. Application of micronization resulted in a significant (P < or = 0.05) improvement in AMEn, apparent protein digestibility (APD), and starch digestibility. The increments ranged from 19.4 to 31.3, 8.5 to 33.6, and 12.2 to 22.3% for AMEn, APD, and starch digestibility, respectively. In contrast, dehulling had little or no effect on AMEn (3.0 and 4.9%), APD (-1.8 and -4.2%) and starch digestibility (2.0 and 1.3%) values of Impala (yellow-seeded) and Radley (green-seeded) peas but significantly (P < or = 0.05) improved the AMEn (24.1%), APD (26.8%), and starch digestibility (12.1%) values of Sirius (brown-seeded) peas. Chick performance was evaluated in a 2-wk trial. Birds fed micronized peas grew faster and had better feed conversion (P < or = 0.05) than birds fed untreated peas and the wheat-soybean control diet. Addition of lysine to the diet containing micronized peas further improved (P > or = 0.05) weight gains and feed conversion of broiler chicks. Dehulling only improved (P < or = 0.05) the performance of birds fed Sirius peas.