192 Application of Hemicell HT™ – a β-mannanase Enzyme – Retains Post-weaned Piglet Performance in the Presence of Challenging Protein Sources

Abstract

Abstract β-Mannans are strongly anti-nutritive polysaccharide fibres found in most vegetable feed ingredients. The objective of the study was to compare piglet performance and antibiotic use between a Control group, fed a conventional 3-phase diet, and an Enzyme treated group, fed an adapted 3-phase diet including a β-mannanase enzyme (Hemicell™ HT; Elanco). A seven weeks feeding trial was conducted with 896 pigs in two rotations of 448 piglets in 32 replicate pens of 14 pigs. Two different 3-phase diets were compared: a standard 3-phase control diet and an adapted 3-phase diet including a β-mannanase enzyme included at 300 g/tonne. The following adaptations were made: Phase-1 (weeks 1–2): 1.14% potato protein concentrate and 1.00% Forcital (extruded soya product) were replaced with soybean meal. Phase-2 (weeks 3–4): 0.46% potato protein concentrate and 0.68% Forcital were replaced with soybean meal. Phase-3 (weeks 5–7): β-mannanase was formulated to replace 63 kcal/kg NE. Standard piglet performance parameters (ADWG, ADFI, FCR) and antibiotic use were recorded. All data analyses were performed using R version 3.6.3 (R Core Team, 2020). All tests were performed at the 5% level of significance. When multiple testing was involved, the nominal 5% Familywise Error Rate (FWER) was used. Throughout the trial and within each phase, ADWG, ADFI and FCR were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between Control and Enzyme group. Mortality was significantly (P < 0.001) lower (-0.90 %) in the Enzyme treated group. Antimicrobial use was significantly (P < 0.01) lower (-56%) in the Enzyme treated group as compared to the Control group. Inclusion of a β-mannanase to nursery diets with an adapted formulation by replacing expensive protein sources by soybean meal, or reducing the NE content by 63 kcal/kg, resulted in similar piglet performance post-weaning with reduced mortality and less antimicrobials used.