The Influence of Dehulling on the Nutritional Quality of Lupine Seeds (Lupinus albus L.) and the Effect of Their Use in the Feed of Laying Quails on the Live Performance and Quality of Eggs

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This research evaluated the influence of dehulling on the nutritional quality of Lupinus albus seeds and the effect of their utilization in the feed of laying quails on the live performance and quality of eggs. The dehulling of lupine seeds led to an improvement in nutritional value as a result of the increase in the protein and crude fat content and the reduction in crude fiber. The use of dehulled lupine seeds in the diet of laying quails improved the performance response and quality of eggs, compared with the use of whole seeds, with the results being similar to those obtained for the quails of the control group. The presence of lupine seeds in quail feed improved the fatty acids (FA) profile of yolk lipids by increasing the polyunsaturated FA proportion to the detriment of saturated FA. The quality of the yolk fats lipidic indices became more favorable to consumer health as a result of an increase in the FA proportion, with a corresponding hypocholesterolemic effect, and also as a result of a decrease in the atherogenic and thrombogenic index values. ABSTRACT: Lupinus albus seeds from low-alkaloid varieties are a valuable alternative source of protein for reducing the dependence on soybean meal for the feeding of monogastric animals. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the dehulling influence of lupine seeds (L. albus, cv. Amiga) and the effect of their use in the laying quails feed on live performance and egg quality. A total of 200 laying quails (Coturnix japonica), with an age of 10 weeks, were randomly assigned to five experimental groups (five replicates/group). Each group was randomly assigned to one of five dietary treatments: the control group (C) diet was based on soybean meal, while the experimental groups received either 200 g/kg (WLS(20)) or 250 g/kg (WLS(25)) of whole lupine seeds in their diets, or 200 g/kg (DLS(20)) or 250 g/kg (DLS(25)) of dehulled lupine seeds in their diets. The results show that by dehulling the lupine seeds, the nutritional value of the seeds increased. The use of dehulled lupine seeds in the diet of laying quails did not affect the live performance (egg production, feed intake, feed conversion ratio), yolk cholesterol content, and physico-chemical quality indices of the eggs, compared with control. The presence of dehulled lupine seeds in the diet improved the nutritional quality of the yolk lipids because of the increase in the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Thus, the lipid quality indices of the yolk became more favorable to consumer health because of an increase in the h/H ratio (hypocholesterolemic/Hypercholesterolemic FA) and a decrease in the atherogenic index and thrombogenic index values. The higher content in carotenoids also contributed to the higher nutritional quality of the eggs obtained by lupine utilization. In conclusion, dehulling of lupine seeds had a positive influence on the nutritional quality of the seeds, the live performance of quails, and the quality of eggs.