Protein Kinetics

Digestibility has for decades been considered the most important measure to evaluate the suitability of a protein ingredient for animal feed. However, the digestibility coefficient does not say anything about absorption speed which affects post-absorption metabolism of dietary amino acids. In this sense, research shows that fast absorbable protein ingredients improve nitrogen (N) retention and feed efficiency of the animals. The rate of protein hydrolysis, the consequent rate of amino acid (AA) absorption and the synchronization with AA from other protein sources are especially important in young animals, due to their high amino acid requirements for the synthesis of muscle tissue and vital organs. It is therefore relevant to investigate the hydrolysis rate of a protein ingredient and consider this parameter as well when choosing protein ingredients for feed formulation.l.

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