New markets for faba beans will substantially benefit growers. Pet foods and aquaculture feed are two major markets. However, proof of safety, and production benefits for marketing is needed. Thus, the impact of faba bean flour use in dogs (beagles) on health parameters and air classified protein concentrate in trout (salmonid carnivorous species) on production parameters was investigated. Additionally, the use of fermentation was used to potentially improve the ingredient by reducing ANFs and increase nutrients.

In the pet food study, dogs (beagles) were used to assess any deleterious health impactions of faba bean flour at 30 % inclusion from two varieties, both fermented and non-fermented in two feeding trials. The first was a 7-day feeding trial testing canine diets, unfermented high-tannin, fermented high-tannin, unfermented lowtannin,
and fermented low-tannin containing moderate protein were compared with two control commercial diets containing grain but normal protein, or grain-free with high protein. Similarly, after no adverse impact was found after 7-days, a 28-day feeding trial was undertaken. All diet were acceptable to the beagles and glucose tolerance, bodyweight, blood, heart/cardiovascular parameters were assessed and found to be normal and comparable to controls with no deleterious outcomes in both studies. Conclusion: Together, it was determined that the inclusion of 30 % faba bean flour in beagle diets, over this time, does not appear to be linked to any adverse health effects.

In the aquaculture study, a protein concentrate was needed due to the carnivorous nature of the salmonid species, one of the major animal groups produced by the industry. Thus, air classified protein was produced from two cultivars and their fermented meals. Florent, (mid / high tannin) and Snowbird (low tannin) were
used. Co-fermented with both yeast (C. utilis) and the bacteria (L. plantarum) produced the best reduction in ANFs and increase crude protein. All were subjected to air classification with Florent and Snowbird producing a 70%, 63 % protein concentrate, and 59% and 46 % fermented protein concentrate respectively, with fine
yields targeted at ~ 15 %. Differences were attributed to starch damage. Ingredients were then formulated into isocaloric and isoproteic trout diets at 6%, 12% and up to 18 %, the maximal level to appropriately compare ingredients and produce viable pellets. A control “gold standard” fish meal only diet was also produced. Both concentrates from Florent and Snowbird performed the same or better than the fish meal control with better Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Final Weight (FW) and digestion outcomes. A cultivar effect was noted. Physical pellet quality was suitable for industry. However, diets with fermented protein concentrate performed poorly.
Conclusion: Fermented air classified faba bean protein concentrate is not recommended as it decreased growth at 18 %. Whereas “raw” unfermented faba bean air classified protein is suitable fish meal replacement at least up to 18 % and likely higher. In addition, cultivar appears to have an impact on this ingredient’s positive performance.

Extension Messages

• Faba air classified protein concentrate can replace fish meal protein in trout/aquaculture feeds.
• Cultivar appears to have an impact on this ingredient’s positive performance in trout/aquaculture feeds.
• Air classification of fermented faba bean meal is possible. However, the concentrate performs poorly in
  trout/aquaculture feeds.
• 30 % faba bean flour fermented or unfermented inclusion in dog diets has no negative health outcomes.