SynthesisPoultry science2025
One size does not fit all: Are there any sustainable alternatives to soybean in chicken systems?
Synthesis in Poultry science, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- The single-cell protein from Candida utilis as a functional protein ingredient for broilers.Poultry science · 2026Article
- Effects of Fibrafid Supplementation in Standard and Nutrient-Reduced Diets on Growth Performance, Production Efficiency, Carcass Traits, Meat Quality, and Intestinal Morphology in Broilers.Veterinary sciences · 2026Article
- Research note: Effects of Eucommia ulmoides seed meal on egg quality, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health in laying hens.Poultry science · 2026Article
- Broiler performance, intestinal adaptation, and environmental responses to graded dietary inclusion of bacterial single-cell protein.Poultry science · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
The overreliance on soybeans in broiler diets is unsustainable, driving interest in alternative proteins. However, most studies assess either performance or environmental impacts, limiting holistic assessment. We combined systematic review, meta-analysis and life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate circular bioeconomy-derived alternative proteins. The study involved 102 studies from the past 20 years. Alternative proteins were grouped into eight categories: aquatic, dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS), seed, leaf, microbial, processed animal proteins (PAPs), rapeseed and mixed proteins. Broiler strains were grouped as Cobb, Ross or "Other". Performance indicators (ADFI, ADG, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), digestibility and mortality) were analysed against protein type (PT), inclusion level (L) and strain (S) using mixed-effects and linear models with region as a random factor. For LCA, three top-performing alternatives proteins at two inclusion levels were compared with soybean diets across Ross 308 growth phases. Environmental impacts were quantified within broiler farm system boundary, using a functional unit of 1,000 kg carcass. PAPs use dominated in Europe (44%) and Asia (33%), DDGS in Americas (50%) and seed in Africa (56%). ADFI, ADG, and FCR showed a three-way interaction in starters (PT x L x S, p <0.05), ADG and FCR in growers, and none in finishers, suggesting a declining sensitivity to dietary substitution with age. Ross birds were most sensitive to PT and L (p < 0.05). Ileal DM and CP digestibility decreased (p < 0.05) at higher inclusion for all alternatives. Mortality varied by PT, with seed lower (p < 0.05) than DDGS and microbial proteins. Based on inverse variance-weighted relative FCR, microalgae, PAPs and DDGS were selected for LCA. Microalgae increased all environmental impacts except terrestrial acidification (-15.8%) and marine eutrophication (-22.6%). PAPs reduced all impacts but increased terrestrial acidification (8%). DDGS reduced all impacts per functional unit but increased all impacts in manure except global warming (-4%). No alternative protein fits all contexts and choices must balance broiler performance with environmental sustainability.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.