Abstract

ABSTRACTWe investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of β-glucans from mulberry leaves and curcuma on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, and characteristics of faeces in weaned pigs. A total of 75 crossbred weaned pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an average body weight (BW) of 8.48 ± 1.65 kg was used in a 5 wk trial. The pigs were sorted into pens with five pigs per pens and five pens per treatments. Treatments were (1) a corn-soybean meal-based control, (2) 0.1% β-glucans from mulberry leaves, and (3) 0.1% β-glucans from curcuma. Pigs fed β-glucans from mulberry leaves and curcuma had higher average daily gain (ADG) and gain/feed intake ratio (G/F) than control. On digestibility, pigs fed β-glucans from mulberry leaves and curcuma had higher on digestibility of dry matter (DM) and energy than corn-soybean meal-based control during 2 weeks. No significant differences were observed on blood characteristics and faecal microflora, score, moisture, and pH among treatments. Difference of mulberry leaves and curcuma was not observed on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics, and characteristics of faeces. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of β-glucan from mulberry leaves and curcuma can improve ADG, G/F, and dry matter and energy of nutrient digestibility in weaned pigs. Therefore, β-glucans can use as antibiotics alternatives, improving the productivity.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.