Effect of some Treatments on Protein Quality of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.)

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) seeds (raw, acetic acid treated, autoclaved and methionine supplemented) were used in the semi-purified diets us the sole source of protein for feeding to one week old WLH chicks upto the aye of 6 weeks. Protein free and low protein purified diets were also used to determine protein quality of faba bean. Body weight gain of chicks given semi-purified diets containing raw faba bean were significantly (P<0.01) less than the control diet. Treatment of raw faba bean with acetic acid or its autoclaving was not beneficial. However, supplementation of raw faba-bean with methionine significantly (P<0.01) increased weight gain. The weight gain was superior with 4% methionine supplementation than with 0.2 %, thereby indicating that the growth depression in chicks was probably associated with reduced feed intake and aminoacid imbalance. The protein quality of faba bean as judged from PER, PRE, NPU and NPV was found to be inferior. Treatment with acetic acid or autoclaving did not improve protein quality. Supplementation of raw faba bean with methionine improved protein quality.