Maize is the preferred energy cereal used in poultry feed formulations because of
its high energy, low fibre and the presence of pigments and essential fatty
acids. Consequently because it is a primary source of energy, due to its higher
level of inclusion in poultry diets (60-70%), it contributes approximately 30%
of the protein requirement of poultry. However, maize, like other cereals, is
deficient in certain essential amino acids, such as lysine and tryptophan.
Therefore, to meet the requirements of these essential amino acids, farmers and
feed producers usually supplement poultry rations with synthetic amino acids.
Quality protein maize (QPM), with almost double the lysine and tryptophan
levels, is no different from that of normal maize (NM) in terms of the quantity
of energy and protein it contains. Consequently, inclusion of QPM in poultry
formulations will enable the feed manufacturer to produce feeds requiring
minimal or no additional supplementation of crystalline amino acids particularly
lysine and tryptophan. This review examines the available research on the
nutritional value of QPM in poultry for its commercial exploitation as a feed
material.