Effects of the combination of multistrain probiotics and Castanea crenata shell extract on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial shedding, meat quality, noxious gas emissions, and blood parameters in finishing pigs

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of the combination of multistrain probiotics and Castanea crenata shell extract (MPC) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial shedding, meat quality, noxious gas emissions, and blood parameters in finishing pigs. A total of 150 pigs were used in a 10-weeks feeding trial. Dietary treatment groups were as follows: CON, basal diet; TRT1, basal diet + 0.1% MPC; and TRT2, basal diet + 0.2% MPC. On days 35 and 70, there was a significant linear increase (P<0.05) in body weight, and the ATTD of dry matter, nitrogen, and Lactobacillus counts, and a significant linear decrease (P<0.05) in excreta ammonia emission with increasing MPC in the diets. During days 0 to 35, average daily gain and gain to feed ratio showed a linear increase (P<0.05) with increasing MPC, while serum creatinine concentration showed a linear decrease (P<0.05) on days 35. On days 70, drip loss decreased linearly with MPC in diets on day 7, while loin muscle area was linearly increased (P<0.05). During the overall period, there was a significant linear increase (P<0.05) in average daily gain and gain to feed ratio with increasing MPC in diets. In conclusion, dietary MPC supplementation has beneficial effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial shedding, meat quality, noxious gas emissions, and blood parameters in finishing pigs.