Nutritionally-related blood metabolites and liver enzymes in growing pigs fed on Acacia tortilis treated with polyethylene glycol

Abstract

Presence of polyphenolic compounds limits the utilization of leaf meals. Incorporation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) can prevent the formation of tannin-protein complex. The study aimed to determine the nutritionally-related metabolites in pigs fed on Acacia tortilis leaf meal treated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). Forty-eight clinically healthy male growing pigs were randomly allotted to individual pens, in a completely randomized design. The diets included 150g/kg A. tortilis which had been treated with six increasing levels (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25g/kg) of PEG. There were eight pigs per treatment. The pigs were allowed ad libitum access to the diets and clean water throughout. Inclusion of PEG showed a linear response on total protein (TP) and globulin, but quadratic to albumin (P<0.01). There was a linear relationship between PEG inclusion and cholesterol, creatinine and uric acid (P>0.05). The concentration of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P<0.01) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P<0.05) decreased linearly as PEG inclusion increased. There was a quadratic increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as the PEG inclusion level increased (P>0.05). Inclusion of PEG in Acacia tortilis leaf meal based-diet, therefore, had no adverse effects on the health and nutritional status of growing male pigs.