Review article
https://doi.org/10.33128/k.68.1.4
Replacing soybean with faba bean as an alternative protein feed in ruminant nutrition: Production and health effects
Zvonko Antunović
; Fakultet agrobiotehničkih znanosti Osijek, Sveučilište J. J. Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
*
Mario Ronta
orcid.org/0000-0003-0858-7566
; Fakultet agrobiotehničkih znanosti Osijek, Sveučilište J. J. Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Josip Novoselec
; Fakultet agrobiotehničkih znanosti Osijek, Sveučilište J. J. Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Mislav Đidara
; Fakultet agrobiotehničkih znanosti Osijek, Sveučilište J. J. Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Luka Šramek
; Fakultet agrobiotehničkih znanosti Osijek, Sveučilište J. J. Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Željka Klir Šalavardić
; Fakultet agrobiotehničkih znanosti Osijek, Sveučilište J. J. Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
The use of faba bean as a substitute for soybean meals/soybeans in ruminant feeding is gaining increasing importance. The limitations in its use are the content of antinutritive factors in faba bean, which can reduce digestibility and palatability in the studied animals. It should be emphasized that newer faba bean cultivars have a significantly lower content of antinutritive factors and are suitable for ruminants feeding. The aim of this paper is to investigate the possibilities of using faba beans as a substitute for soybean/soybean meal in ruminant feeding by analyzing the available literature. Replacing soybean meals with faba bean in ruminant feeding has significant potential because it does not impair production traits or health and immune status. It also has a positive effect on the meat quality in terms of fatty acid composition.
Keywords
faba bean; soybean proteins; ruminants; production and health effect
Hrčak ID:
349364
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2026.
Visits: 0 *