GRASS PEA ‒ VALUABLE RAW MATERIAL RESOURCE FOR FEED PRODUCTION

Abstract

Currently, it is relevant to study additional sources of feed or their components among agricultural crops that are not common in feed practice. Particular attention should be paid to crops that have high adaptability and high nutritional value. One of such crops is the pulse plant, grass pea. The research was conducted during 2023-2024 on the basis of the mass analysis laboratory of the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology of Russian Research, Design and Technology Institute of Sorghum and Corn (Saratov). The biochemical composition of grain, the fractional composition of protein were studied and the energy value of various varieties of grass pea of our own selection was calculated for farm animals (sheep) and poultry.

The results showed that the grain of the grass pea contains: protein – from 30 to 31,5%; fat – 0,6-0,7%; fiber – 7,1-7,6%; mineral substances – 3,3-3,6% and nitrogen-free extractive substances – 57-58%.

The protein of the grain of the grass pea is mainly dominated by the most valuable albumin fraction, containing all the essential amino acids. Among all the studied samples, the variety Racheika stood out and was characterized by the highest amount of albumins (55.82 g / 100 g of protein) and the lowest content of deficient glutelins (6,05 g/100 g of protein), prolamins (1,29 g / 100 g of protein) and insoluble residue (24,9 g/100 g of protein).

The most valuable varieties in terms of energy value were Zhemchuzhina and Elena, as they had the highest value in terms of energy feed units – 1,38 EFU for sheep and 1,4 EFU for poultry.

Based on the obtained results, a conclusion was made about the great potential of the grass pea as a plant component for further use as a raw material resource in feed production.