Description
An excellent source of protein, soybean meal is a byproduct of the soybean oil extraction process. Two primary varieties are available: one with a somewhat higher oil content, mechanically removed, and the other with a solvent-extracted (and hence more common) form. Its texture is thin and powdery or flaky, and its color is usually light brown or yellowish.
In addition to its main application as a protein-rich animal feed, particularly for pigs, cattle, poultry, and aquaculture, soybean meal finds usage in certain plant-based fertilizers and, after proper processing, in food-grade items as well. Lysine, an essential amino acid that is frequently lacking in other plant feeds, is abundant in this product, adding to its high protein content (about 44–48%) and balanced amino acid profile.
As far as animal nutrition and farming are concerned, it is among the most crucial protein sources on the planet.
