Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood lipid profile and faecal Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus counts on growing pigs fed with de-oiled lecithin emulsifier

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of de-oiled lecithin (DOL) emulsifier on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood lipid profile and faecal Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Lactobacillus count in growing pigs. A total of 75 crossbred growing pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an average initial body weight (BW) of 24.97 ± 1.42 kg (54 days of age) were used in a 6-week feeding trial. Pigs were randomly allotted to one of three treatments [five pigs per pen (three barrows and two gilts); five pens per treatment] based on BW and sex. Treatments consisted of CON, basal diet; TRT1 basal diet + 0.1% DOL–60; TRT2 basal diet + 0.1% DOL–97. The DOL–60 and DOL–97 contents were 60% and 97% of DOL, respectively. Results indicated that the increased contents of DOL lead to higher average daily gain, gain-to-feed ratio, digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and gross energy and faecal Lactobacillus counts. Meanwhile, blood triglyceride and total cholesterol were trended to reduce. In conclusion, the supplementation of DOL in growing pig diets could improve the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and intestinal Lactobacillus count, thereby contributing to improved growth rate.HighlightsDietary supplementation of DOL improved growth performance and nutrient digestibility of growing pigs.Dietary supplementation of DOL modulated gut health by altering intestine Lactobacillus count of growing pigs.Dietary supplementation of DOL improved health status through decreasing blood triglyceride and total cholesterol of growing pigs.