The voluntary food intake by growing pigs of diets containing 'treated' rapeseed meals or extracts of rapeseed meal.

Abstract

The intake by growing pigs of a diet containing British rapeseed meal (Brsm) extracted once with water was greater than that of a similar diet containing untreated Brsm, and a diet containing Brsm extracted twice with water was eaten more readily than one containing Brsm extracted once with water. Treatment of Brsm with slaked lime increased slightly its acceptability by growing pigs. The addition of a water extract of Brsm to a soya-bean meal (Sbm) diet reduced voluntary intake compared with the voluntary intake of the same Sbm diet with water added. Addition to the diet of a water extract passed through an anion exchange column increased food intake but if a cation exchange column was used there was no effect on intake. Treated rapeseed meals and extracts were analysed for glucosinolates, sinapine and tannins; the results indicated that glucosinolates rather than sinapine or tannin were associated with low feed intake.