What is extruded soybeans and how is it obtained?
The Extruded soybeans It is a highly valued food ingredient in animal nutrition, the result of a transformation process that enhances its nutritional properties. It is obtained from raw soybeans which are subjected to an extrusion process, which involves high temperatures and pressure.
This process not only improves the digestibility of soybeans, but also inactivates anti-nutritional factors present in the raw grain.
Extrusion process and its effects on soybeans
The extrusion process consists of submitting the military to a combination of high temperature, pressure and mechanical shear. This treatment causes significant changes in the grain structure, such as protein denaturation and starch gelatinization.
As a result, the soy extrude It has greater digestibility and better availability of nutrients for animals. Additionally, the heat generated during extrusion helps reduce the presence of microorganisms and anti-nutritional factors, improving food safety.
Differences between extruded soybeans and other soy derivatives
It is important to distinguish the Extruded soybeans of other products derived from soy, such as soy expeller or soy flour. While soy expeller is obtained by mechanical pressing, soy flour is produced from defatted grains. The soy extrudates, for its part, combines the benefits of both processes, offering a product with high protein and energy content, as well as excellent digestibility.
Nutritional profile of extruded soybeans
The soy extrude stands out for its complete nutritional profile, which makes it a valuable ingredient for animal feed. Its composition includes high-quality proteins, healthy fats and a significant energy contribution.
Protein and essential amino acid content
It is an excellent source of protein, with a content that can exceed 40% in some cases. These proteins are rich in essential amino acids, such as lysine, which are essential for the growth and development of animals. The digestibility of these proteins is remarkably high thanks to the extrusion process.
Energy contribution and healthy fats
In addition to proteins, soy extrudates provide a considerable amount of energy, mainly in the form of healthy fats. These fats are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, which are essential for animal health and performance.
The fat content of the soy extrudates It may vary depending on the production process and the variety of soybeans used.
Benefits of extruded soybeans in animal feed
The incorporation of soy extrudates in animal diets offers multiple benefits, ranging from improved digestibility to the reduction of anti-nutritional factors.
Improved digestibility and absorption of nutrients
One of the main benefits of soy extrudates is its high digestibility. The extrusion process facilitates the breakdown of soybean cellular structures, allowing digestive enzymes to more easily access nutrients. This results in better absorption of proteins, fats and other essential components.
Reduction of anti-nutritional factors
Raw soybeans contain anti-nutritional factors, such as trypsin inhibitors and lectins, which can interfere with the digestion and absorption of nutrients. The extrusion process inactivates these factors, causing the soy extrudates to be a safer and more efficient ingredient for animal feed.
Practical applications in different species
The soy extrudates It can be used to feed various animal species, adapting to their specific needs.
Use in poultry diets
In poultry farming, soy extrudates It is a valuable component of diets, especially for broilers and layers. Its high protein and energy content promotes growth, egg production and the general health of birds.
Inclusion in the feeding of pigs and cattle
It is also suitable for feeding pigs and cattle. Its nutritional profile contributes to muscle development, milk production and reproductive efficiency. The digestibility of soy extrudates makes it especially useful for young and growing animals.
Comparison with other protein supplements
Comparison with other protein supplements
When formulating an efficient and profitable diet for animals, it is key to evaluate the different ingredients available on the market. Among the most used options are the soy extrudates, the expelled soy and the extruded soy flour. Although they all come from the same grain, the differences in their production processes directly affect their nutritional profile and their behavior in the diet.
Advantages compared to the soy expeller
Then they expel soy. It is obtained from the mechanical extraction of soybean oil. Although it retains an acceptable proportion of proteins, your level of energy is lower than that of the soy extrudates, since a considerable amount of fat is lost during the process.
ANDl they expel soy. It does not always undergo sufficient thermal deactivation, which can leave some anti-nutritional factors such as trypsin inhibitors active. This reduces the digestibility of the proteins and affects the performance of animals, especially in the initial stages of growth.
Comparison with extruded soy flour
The extruded soy flour It is another available ingredient, the result of grinding the soy extrudates in the form of fine powder. Although it shares many benefits with soy extrudates in grain, it usually presents differences in the energy content due to additional processes that can decrease your natural fat level.
Its use may be limited by its texture in some formulations, especially in pelleted feeds for young animals. Instead, the soy extrudates In grain or flakes, it retains its properties better and has greater palatability.
Economic and availability considerations
From the economic point of view, the extruded soybean price may seem higher than other supplements, but this initial cost is usually offset by better feed conversion and an increase in productive performance.
In short, although each supplement has its place depending on the type of production and the objectives of the system, the soy extrudates stands out for its balance between protein content, metabolizable energy, and its positive impact on the efficiency of the production system.
Considerations for its incorporation into balanced diets
The inclusion of soy extrudates in balanced diets requires taking into account the specific needs of each species and growth stage.
Inclusion recommendations according to species and growth stage
The recommendations for inclusion of soy extrudates vary depending on the animal species and its stage of development. It is essential to consult with an animal nutritionist to determine the appropriate amount and ensure a balanced diet.
Precautions and possible limitations
Although the soy extrude is a safe and efficient ingredient, it is important to take some precautions into account. Too much soy in the diet can cause digestive problems in some animals. Furthermore, the quality of the soy extrudates may vary depending on the production process and the raw material used.
Conclusion
The soy extrudates It is presented as an excellent option to optimize animal nutrition, thanks to its high protein and energy content, its high digestibility and the reduction of anti-nutritional factors.
Summary of key benefits
- High content of proteins and essential amino acids.
- Significant energy contribution and healthy fats.
- Improved digestibility and absorption of nutrients.
- Reduction of anti-nutritional factors.
- Versatility in feeding various animal species.
Future perspectives in animal feeding
The soy extrudates have a promising future in animal feeding, driven by the growing demand for quality food and the need to optimize production efficiency. Research and development of new extrusion technologies could further improve the nutritional properties of soybeans, consolidating its role as a key ingredient in animal nutrition.
