A Soybean Meal Digestibility Study experiment was conducted to evaluate apparent (AID) and standardized (SID) ileal digestibilities of crude protein and amino acids with six soybean products in weaning pigs. A total of 14 weaning barrows with an initial body weight about 6.5 kg were fitted with T-cannula at the distal ileum and allotted to seven diets containing various soybean products. The soybean products used in the experiment were conventional soybean meal, four fermented SBMs and a soy protein concentrate. Six corn-based diets were formulated containing 5.0 g/kg of chromic oxide as an indigestible indicator and an N-free diet was used to measure basal endogenous losses of crude protein and amino acids.

The research team indicated that ileal crude protein digestibility did not differ by different soybean products. However, the results suggested that SIDs of some amino acids could be improved by the supplementation of fermented soybean products in the diet. They also reported that probiotics supplementation and UV-sterilization had no effects on chemical composition and ileal AA digestibility.