Effects of Clostridium butyricum and corn bran supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal volatile fatty acids and microbiota in weaned pigs

Jinbiao Zhao,Ling Liu,Shuai Zhang,Gang Zhang

doi:10.1080/09712119.2020.1789646

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate effects of Clostridium butyricum and corn bran supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal volatile fatty acids, and microbiota in weaned pigs. Hundred and forty-four weaned pigs (7.01 ± 0.62 kg BW) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments, including the basal diet and 5% corn bran diet with or without Clostridium butyricum supplementation. The results showed the supplementation of 0.1% Clostridium butyricum in diets increased average daily gain (p < 0.05) and tended to increase gain to feed ratio (G/F; p = 0.07) in weaned pigs during 15–28 d. Dietary Clostridium butyricum supplementation improved (p < 0.05) the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of organic matter (OM) and the SOD and T-AOC levels in serum in weaned pigs. The inclusion of 5% corn bran in diets had no significant effect on growth performance in weaned pigs. Moreover, dietary Clostridium butyricum supplementation decreased (p < 0.05) faecal Escherichia coli count, and increased faecal Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium counts in weaned pigs. In conclusion, inclusion of 0.1% Clostridium butyricum in diets could benefit the growth performance and gut health of weaned pigs. Meanwhile, 5% corn bran supplementation in diets had no negative effect on weaned pigs.

Highlights

Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms that seem to promote gut health and regulate intestinal homeostasis (Hu et al 2017)
The results showed the supplementation of 0.1% Clostridium butyricum in diets increased average daily gain (p < 0.05) and tended to increase gain to feed ratio (G/F; p = 0.07) in weaned pigs during 15–28 d
5% corn bran supplementation in diets had no negative effect on weaned pigs

Summary

Introduction

Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms that seem to promote gut health and regulate intestinal homeostasis (Hu et al 2017) They are commonly used as feed additives in livestock, and can serve as alternatives to antibiotics to improve growth performance and enhance gut health and immunity function (Meng et al 2010; Hu et al 2017). Members of Lactobacillus and Bacillus are typical strains that commonly used as probiotics, which were shown to increase the growth rate and feed efficiency and benefit the gut health in weaned and growingfinishing pigs (Meng et al 2010). Previous studies demonstrated that IDF had beneficial effects on growth performance and gut health of young pigs (Molist et al 2009; Molist et al 2010)

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Results

Conclusion