ECOXTRACT

Project summary:

Oilseed meals are the primary source of protein-rich feed ingredients for livestock production. In 2019, approximately 6 million tonnes of oilseed meals were used by the French feed industry, in addition to around 1 million tonnes of soybean meal used directly by farmers. These meals are produced either by hexane extraction or by cold pressing for organic farming.

The development of bio-based oilseed meals is an important challenge for all livestock sectors, including ruminants, pigs, poultry, and aquaculture. The objectives of the project are to:

1. Determine the nutritional value of bio-based oilseed meals for different target species using in vivo and in vitro digestibility assays.
2. Characterize the digestion of the protein fraction in diets containing bio-based oilseed meals.
3. Evaluate the effects of bio-based oilseed meals on immune function and the gut microbiota.
4. Validate the findings through animal production trials under commercial farming conditions.
5. Develop predictive equations for the nutritional value of bio-based oilseed meals in the medium term.

Because of species-specific differences in physiology and metabolism, the project encompasses four livestock sectors: fish, poultry, ruminants, and pigs. The BIOEPAR team contributes to the work package dedicated to pigs, with a particular focus on evaluating the effects of bio-based oilseed meals on the immune system.

Partners:

• EcoXtract
• Avignon University
• INRAE research units: MGP, UMRH, GenPhySE, Herbipôle, PEGASE, BIOEPAR, UE3P/UEPR, NUMEA, IERP, EASM, and BOA

The project is administratively managed by ABGi.

BIOEPAR researchers involved:

• Nicolas Bertho : nicolas.bertho@inrae.fr

Project coordinators:

• Laurence Jacques (EcoXTract)
• Etienne Labussière
• Nicolas Bertho (INRAE)

Additional information:

Funding: Agence de la transition écologique (French Agency for Ecological Transition - ADEME).