Fermentation of lignocellulose ingredients in vivo and in vitro via using fecal and caecal inoculums of monogastric animals (swine/turkeys)

Abstract

Three experiments were performed to evaluate the digestibility and fermentation rates of two types of lignocellulose products that can be used in diets of pigs and turkeys. Experiment I: In vitro dry matter digestibility studies using Daisy system were conducted by using fecal or excreta fluid of swine/turkeys as a source of inoculums. The feedstuffs used as substrates were commercial swine or turkey diet, lignocellulose A and B. The dry matter digestibility was found to be about 75%, 28%, and <5% for swine/turkey diet, lignocellulose A and B, respectively. Moreover, the inoculums were incubated with the same substrates for 24h using gas measuring technique. It was found that the product A was fermented better than B and resulted in higher amounts of acetic, propionic and lactic acids. Experiment II: Six swine were divided into 2 groups; the control group was fed on a commercial swine diet, whereas the experimental one was offered a commercial swine diet containing 2.0% lignocellulose A. The digestibility rates of dry matter, organic matter, and crude fiber of both diets were found to be nearly identical. Experiment III: At the end of study, the animals were slaughtered and the caecum contents of swine and turkeys were used as inoculums and incubated with the same tested substrates for 24h using gas production technique. As observed with fecal/excreta inocula, lignocellulose A resulted in greater amounts of gases, volatile fatty acids and lactate compared to product B. In conclusions, lignocellulose A can be used as alternative source of fiber to maintain the health and function of digestive tract. Furthermore, the use of feces/excreta liquor provides a valid and proper estimate of digestibility or fermentation of feeds. These results provide further guide that this procedure would be an effective and practical means of approximating the digestibility of diets.