Neutral semi-purified glycerin in growing and finishing pigs feeding

Abstract

The experiment was carried out to evaluate performance, plasma variables, carcass traits and meat quality of growing-finishing pigs fed on diets with increasing levels of neutralized semi-purified glycerin (NSPG). Eighty growing pig (30.31 ± 0.47 to 60.41 ± 0.87 kg) and 80 finishing pigs (60.45 ± 0.46 to 90.99 ± 0.83 kg) were enrolled. Pigs were allotted in a randomized block design with four inclusion levels of NSPG (3.5, 7.0, 10.5 and 14%), mainly substituted the corn in diets. The experiment included 16 replicates and one pig per pen. Additionally, there was a control diet (0% NSPG). At the end of the finishing phase, all pigs were slaughtered to evaluate quantitative carcass traits and meat quality. The regression analysis showed no effect (p > 0.05) of NSPG on growth performance, backfat thickness and loin depth in the growing and finishing phases. As to plasma variables, cholesterol and triglycerides increased linearly only in the finishing phase. A linear increase was obtained in quantitative carcass traits (p < 0.05), such as hot carcass weight, hot carcass yield, cold carcass weight and cold carcass yield. As to meat quality traits, there was a quadratic effect for water drip loss and total lipids with inclusion levels of NSPG. As a whole, NSPG can be used up to 14% in the feed of growing and finishing pigs (30–90 kg) without impairing performance, plasma variables and quantitative carcass traits and meat quality. However, its use may increase the cost of the diet depending on the feedstuffs prices.