E Elena Zanelli

Dr. E Elena Zanelli


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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30 April 2025 in Animals
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SSSujen Santini
Sujen Santini
EZE Elena Zanelli
E Elena Zanelli
VFValerio Faeti
Valerio Faeti
GMGIANNI MARCHETTO
GIANNI MARCHETTO
MPMaria Teresa Teresa Pacchioli
Maria Teresa Teresa Pacchioli
DBDavide Bochicchio
Davide Bochicchio
Italian pigs for slaughter weigh between 150 and 170 kg, and their breeding is strictly regulated by the Protected Designation of Origin. Intensive production raises environmental concerns, in particular, nitrogen (N) emissions. To address these issues, low-crude-protein diet strategies have been proposed. However, few experiments have tested the effects of very low crude protein levels on performance and nitrogen efficiency, above all, in heavy pigs. The aim of our study was to explore new feeding solutions, compared to traditional ones, in accordance with PDO regulations, from 50 kg live weight to slaughtering: (1) traditional diet based on soy and maize; (2) iso-protein diet protein that is pea-based; and (3) low-crude-protein (−24.5% vs. C and T1 diets) diet that is cereal-based. Our results show that the use of different protein sources and the very low crude protein levels did not influence the technical efficiency and quality parameters; instead, a highly significant difference (p < 0.01) was recorded in the nitrogen efficiency of the cereal-based diet both in terms of nitrogen excretion and efficiency, achieving −28% and +21%, respectively. These results open up very interesting scenarios regarding the future feeding of heavy pigs and the cropping systems on which this is based.