The effect of different blue lupine (L. angustifolius) inclusion levels on gastrointestinal function, growth performance and meat quality in growing-finishing turkeys

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with blue lupine meal (BLM) on gastrointestinal tract (GIT) function, growth performance and meat quality in growing-finishing turkeys (13-18 weeks of age). The control diet contained SBM, and in experimental diets SBM was replaced with BLM at 60, 120 and 180 g/kg (groups L60, L120, L180, respectively). Increasing dietary inclusion levels of BLM caused a linear increase in feed intake (P=0.006) and body weight gain (BWG; P=0.008), but they did not affect FCR and the mortality rates of turkeys. Feed intake and BWG were significantly higher (P=0.032 and P=0.050, respectively) in group L180 than in the control group. The highest BLM inclusion level had no adverse effect on enzyme activities in the GIT contents and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations. No significant differences were found in carcass quality or the pH and colour intensity of breast meat. The L180 diet significantly increased the hardness, springiness and chewiness of breast meat, whereas it had no influence on its aroma, flavour and overall acceptability. It can be concluded that BLM in the amount of 180 g/kg provides a viable alternative to SBM in grower/finisher turkey diets as it has no negative effect on the growth performance of birds, carcass characteristics or the sensory attributes of turkey meat.