Abstract
BackgroundAs a organic acid, benzoic acid has become one of the most important alternatives for antibiotics, and its beneficial effect on performance in animals has been proven for a decade. However, knowledge of the effects of benzoic acid on jejunal digestive physiology, especially the antioxidant capacity and mucosal glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) concentrations is lacking.MethodsA total of 20 barrows [Duroc × (Yorkshire × Landrace)] with an average body weight (BW) of 18.75 ± 0.2 kg were used in a 14-d trial to determine the potential mechanisms of benzoic acid supplementation on the performance, nutrient digestibility and jejunal digestive physiology in young pigs. All pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 2 diets supplemented with 0 or 5000 mg/kg benzoic acid.ResultsRelative to the control, benzoic acid supplementation increased the average daily feed intake (ADFI), and average daily gain (ADG) in young pigs (P < 0.05), improved the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), gross energy (GE) and crude ash (P < 0.05), and enhanced the activities of trypsin, lipase and amylase in the jejunum (P < 0.05). Similarly, relative to the control, supplementing benzoic acid in the diet resulted in a trend to reduce the pH values of the digesta (P = 0.06), decreased crypt depth and increased the villus height to crypt depth ratio (P < 0.05) in the jejunum of pigs. Finally, benzoic acid supplementation increased the mRNA expression and concentration of glucagon-like peptide 2 and the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in the jejunal mucosa of young pigs (P < 0.05).ConclusionsIn conclusion, supplementation with 5000 mg/kg benzoic acid improved the performance of young pigs through promoting nutrient digestion, improving jejunal antioxidant capacity, and maintaining the jejunal morphology in young pigs.
Highlights
As a organic acid, benzoic acid has become one of the most important alternatives for antibiotics, and its beneficial effect on performance in animals has been proven for a decade
To overcome the negative effect on pig production brought by the ban of antibiotics in Europe, using different alternatives, such as organic acids and essential oils, has been recommended as one of the effective methods to help improve the performance and decrease the incidence of diarrhea in pigs [1]
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of benzoic acid on the performance, nutrient digestibility, pH values, activities of digestive enzymes, mucosal morphology, glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) concentration and antioxidant capacity in the jejunal mucosa of young pigs, which could help us further understand the mechanism through which benzoic acid improves pig performance, and provide the scientific basis for using benzoic acid in practice
Summary
Benzoic acid has become one of the most important alternatives for antibiotics, and its beneficial effect on performance in animals has been proven for a decade. Knowledge of the effects of benzoic acid on jejunal digestive physiology, especially the antioxidant capacity and mucosal glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) concentrations is lacking. There is little available information on the systematic mechanisms through which benzoic acid promotes pig performance, especially the effect of benzoic acid on the antioxidant capacity and mucosal glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) concentrations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of benzoic acid on the performance, nutrient digestibility, pH values, activities of digestive enzymes, mucosal morphology, GLP-2 concentration and antioxidant capacity in the jejunal mucosa of young pigs, which could help us further understand the mechanism through which benzoic acid improves pig performance, and provide the scientific basis for using benzoic acid in practice
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