An experiment was conducted to study the effect of soybean origin on the AMEn content of commercial soybean meals (SBM). In total, 23 samples from Argentina (ARG; n = 8), Brazil (BRA; n = 8), and USA (n = 7) were collected from different European locations by specialized quality control personnel and analyzed for main components [CP, ether extract, crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, sucrose, oligosaccharides, and ash content] and protein quality indicators [trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA), KOH solubility (KOH), and protein dispersibility index (PDI)]. The data were analyzed as a completely randomized design using the GLM procedure of SAS with the country of origin of the soybeans as main effect. On 88% DM bases, the SBM from BRA had more CP and less sucrose and stachyose than the SBM from USA and ARG (P < 0.05). The PDI, KOH, and TIA values were higher for the USA meals than for the South American meals (P < 0.05). In addition, a total of 522 one-day old birds were allotted in groups of 8 to 69 battery cages and fed a commercial crumble diet based on corn-wheat and SBM from 1 to 17 d of age. Then, 23 experimental diets that consisted in the mixing of 53% of a N-free diet (43.9% dextrose, 3.50% soybean oil, 3.60% vitamins and minerals, and 2% cellulose) and 47% of each of the 23 SBM samples studied. From 18 to 21 d of age, 3 replicates chosen at random were fed one of each of 23 experimental diets. Feed intake, BW gain, and feed conversion ratio were determined by replicate. Data on growth performance were analyzed as a completely randomized design with country of origin of the beans as main effect using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Soybean sample within each origin was used as a nested effect for the analysis. At the star of the experiment (18 d of age) BW of the birds were similar for all treatments (806, 816, and 796 g for ARG, BRA, and USA meals, respectively). From 18 to 21 d of the test, feed intake was not affected by diet. Birds fed the USA meals grew faster and had better FCR than birds fed the BRA and ARG meals (P < 0.01).
In summary, the origin of the beans affected the chemical composition and protein quality indicators of the resulting SBM. Compared to ARG and BRA meals, the use of USA meals as the unique source of amino acids of the diet increased BW gain and improved FCR of the birds from 18 to 21 d of age. Feed mill managers and nutritionists should take into consideration the origin of the beans when evaluating the nutritional value of commercial SBM.
