Meal For Pigs Research Articles

Apparent total tract digestibility of calcium and phosphorus from partially defatted Hermetia illucens larvae meal in pigs

Abstract Insect meals, which have emerged as a sustainable protein source in animal nutrition, are also rich in calcium and phosphorus and thus might be a valuable source for supplying these minerals in farm animals. The aim of the present study was to determine the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of these minerals from commercially available partially defatted meals of Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae in growing pigs. According to a difference approach, twenty male growing pigs with an average body weight of around 30 kg were divided into five groups of four pigs each and fed either a basal diet or the basal diet blended with one of three HI meals or monocalcium phosphate (MCP, as a positive control) for 14 days. Calcium and phosphorus ATTD were determined, by using the indicator method with acid-insoluble ash as an indigestible marker. Calcium ATTD on average of the three HI meals was 71.2%, ranging from 60.7% to 77.0%, and the ATTD of phosphorus was 80.6%, with a range of 70.8% to 88.9%. Calcium and phosphorus ATTD of MCP were 95.0% and 82.8%, respectively. The study shows that calcium and phosphorus from HI meals exhibit a relatively high ATTD in pigs, similar to that observed from inorganic mineral sources. Thus, HI meal could substantially contribute to the supply of calcium and phosphorus to pigs, thus opening the possibility to conserve scarce minerals resources such as phosphate-rich rocks for pig nutrition.

Effects of Drying Methods and Blanching on Nutrient Utilization in Black Soldier Fly Larva Meals Based on In Vitro Assays for Pigs

The objective was to determine the effects of drying and blanching methods on the nutrient utilization of black soldier fly larva (BSFL; Hermetia illucens) meal by pigs using in vitro assays. Two-step and three-step in vitro assays were employed to simulate the gastrointestinal tract of pigs. Four BSFL meals were prepared using the following pretreatment methods: (1) microwave drying at 80 °C for 32 min, (2) hot-air drying at 60 °C for 17 h, (3) blanching for 5 min in boiling water and hot-air drying at 60 °C for 17 h, and (4) 2% citric acid solution blanching for 5 min in boiling solution and hot-air drying at 60 °C for 17 h. After the drying process, each BSFL was defatted and ground to obtain BSFL meals. The nitrogen (N) concentration in the test ingredients ranged from 8.5 to 9.4%, and the ether extract ranged from 6.9 to 11.5% on an as-is basis. The amino acid (AA) concentration in the BSFL meals ranged from 2.80 to 3.24% for Lys and 0.71 to 0.89% for Met on an as-is basis. Hot-air-dried BSFL meal had a greater in vitro ileal disappearance (IVID) of N compared with microwave-dried BSFL meal (p < 0.05). However, blanched BSFL meals in water or 2% citric acid solution before hot-air drying had a lower (p < 0.05) IVID of N compared with microwave-dried or hot-air-dried BSFL meal. Blanched BSFL meals in water or 2% citric acid solution before hot-air drying showed a lower (p < 0.05) in vitro total tract disappearance of dry matter and organic matter compared with microwave-dried or hot-air-dried BSFL meal. Microwave-dried BSFL meal had a lower (p < 0.05) IVID of indispensable AA, except for His, Lys, Met, and Phe, compared with hot-air-dried BSFL meals. However, blanched BSFL meals in water or 2% citric acid solution before hot-air drying showed a lower (p < 0.05) IVID of indispensable AA compared with microwave-dried or hot-air-dried BSFL meal. In conclusion, hot-air-dried BSFL meal presented greater nutrient utilization compared with microwave-dried BSFL meal for pigs. However, blanching in water or citric acid solution negatively affected the nutrient digestibility of BSFL meal based on in vitro assays.

Fishmeal substitution by Iberian pig meal and vegetable proteins blend and inclusion of Isochrysis aff. galbana (T‐Iso) in diets for gilthead seabream ( Sparus aurata L.): Effects on growth and feed utilization efficiency

Research was carried out into the effect of partial and total fishmeal (FM) replacement by a vegetable and animal proteins blend, as well as the inclusion of microalgae in diets for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.). Fish of 64 g on initial weight were fed until apparent satiation for 88 days. The control diet (FM100) contained FM as the main protein source, whilst in FM25, FM10 and FM0 diets, the FM was replaced 75%, 90% and 100%, respectively, by a proteins blend consisting of Iberian pig meal (IPM) and vegetable protein meals. FM0+ was similar to FM0 diet but included 50 g/kg of Isochrysis aff. galbana (T-Iso). Results obtained in the final bodyweight and the specific growth rate indicate that the FM25 and FM100 diets achieved similar performances. An improvement in growth performance and nutrient utilization was observed in the FM0+ diet with respect to the FM0 diet. The highest retention efficiencies of protein, energy and essential amino acids were found in FM100 and FM25 diets. In conclusion, up to 75% FM substitution by a vegetable and animal proteins blend in on-growing gilthead seabream is feasible, in addition, the inclusion of Isochrysis aff. galbana (T-Iso) improves the growth and retention efficiencies in a non-FM diet.

Bio-monitoring of Environmental Toxicants using West African Dwarf Goats at Amawzari Mbano, Imo State, Nigeria

Several health risks have been linked to exposure to environmental toxicants in food consume by man. This study aimed to determine the level of environmental toxicants in goats tended by rural farmers. Fur and blood samples were carefully collected from sixteen (16) goats in open range husbandry (ex situ) at four sites in Amawzari, Imo State, Nigeria. The samples were digested and analyzed separately to determine the concentrations of some environmental toxicants (heavy metals). The concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cd and Ni in blood were 0.01 to 0.05, 0.01 to 0.07, 0.00 to 0.01 and 0.05 to 0.12 mg/kg, while their concentration in fur were 0.02 to 0.03, 0.001 to 0.006, 0.00 to 0.00, and 0.04 to 0.05 mg/kg, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis show very strong positive relationship between Pb in blood and Pb in fur (r = 0.855, p &lt; 0.01) and Ni in blood and Ni in fur (r = 0.811, p &lt; 0.01). The order of abundance of the four heavy metals tested in goat fur and blood is Ni &gt; Cr &gt; Pb &gt; Cd. Based on our findings, the concentrations of heavy metals in blood were higher than its corresponding values in fur. Thus, consumption of meat processed from these metal-contaminated goats and utilization of their blood to manufacture blood meal for pigs and poultry birds will result to bio-magnification of heavy metals in man and animals. Therefore, we recommend that rural farmers should be enlightened on health challenges associated with in situ form of animal husbandry.

Supplemental protease improves in vitro disappearance of dry matter and crude protein in feather meal and copra meal for pigs

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of supplemental protease on in vitro disappearance of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) in feed ingredients for pigs. The test ingredients were three sources of feather meal (FM 1, FM 2, and FM 3), meat and bone meal, soybean meal, corn dried distillers grains with solubles, copra meal (CM), palm kernel meal, wheat, and corn. In experiment 1, in vitro ileal disappearance (IVID) of DM and [...]

Cellulase and Alkaline Treatment Improve Intestinal Microbial Degradation of Recalcitrant Fibers of Rapeseed Meal in Pigs.

The aim of the current study was to investigate whether degradation of rapeseed meal (RSM) by a swine gut microbiota consortium was improved by modifying RSM by treatment with cellulase (CELL), two pectinases (PECT), or alkaline (ALK) compared to untreated RSM and to assess whether microbiota composition and activity changed. The predicted relative abundances of carbohydrate digestion and absorption, glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, and pyruvate metabolism were significantly increased upon CELL and ALK feeding, and CELL and ALK also exhibited increased total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production compared to CON. Megasphaera, Prevotella, and Desulfovibrio were significantly positively correlated with SCFA production. Findings were validated in ileal cannulated pigs, which showed that CELL and ALK increased fiber degradation of RSM. In conclusion, CELL and ALK rather than PECT1 or PECT2 increased fiber degradation in RSM, and this information could guide feed additive strategies to improve efficiency and productivity in the swine industry.

Nutritive value of carinata meal and cold-pressed canola expellers for pigs

Carinata meal, a co-product from carinata seed oil extraction plants, is available for livestock feeding. Also, cold-pressed canola expellers (Cold-pressed CME), a co-product from canola seed oil extraction plants, is available for livestock feeding. The nutritive value of carinata meal for pigs has not been reported. Also, there is limited information on the nutritive value of cold-pressed CME for pigs. The objective of this study was to determine standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) and net energy value of carinata meal and Cold-pressed CME for growing pigs. Eight ileal-cannulated barrows (initial body weight = 32.7 ± 1.46 kg) were fed 3 diets a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design in combination with a 3 × 2 Youden square design, to give 8 replicates/diet. The diets were cornstarch-based, containing Cold-pressed CME or carinata meal as sole protein source, and N-free. Digestibility of AA in feedstuffs was determined by the direct method. Energy digestibility in Cold-pressed CME and carinata meal was determined by difference from the N-free diet. On dry matter basis (DM), Cold-pressed CME and carinata meal contained 396 and 502 g/kg crude protein, 207 and 268 g/kg neutral detergent fiber, 160 and 8.8 g/kg ether extract, 23.2 and 18.2 g/kg lysine, 7.4 and 9.6 g/kg methionine, 16.3 and 18.9 g/kg threonine, and 5.0 and 6.4 g/kg tryptophan, respectively. The Cold-pressed CME compared with carinata meal, had greater (P < 0.05) SID of lysine (0.744 vs. 0.601). Conversely, Cold-pressed CME compared with carinata meal, had lower (P < 0.05) SID of methionine (0.821 vs. 0.878) and tryptophan (0.818 vs. 0.898), and tended to be lower (P = 0.078) in SID of threonine. The Cold-pressed CME and carinata meal did not differ in coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility of gross energy (0.433 vs. 0.376). The Cold-pressed CME had lower (P < 0.05) coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility of GE than carinata meal (0.573 vs. 0.671). The Cold-pressed CME and carinata meal did not differ in digestible energy (12.99 vs. 12.83 MJ/kg). However, Cold-pressed CME had greater (P < 0.05) net energy value than carinata meal (8.20 vs. 6.74 MJ/kg DM). In conclusion, carinata meal has lower energy value than Cold-pressed CME, however, the former had greater SID of most AA than the latter. Both Cold-pressed CME and carinata meal can serve as alternative oilseed co-product feedstuffs for pigs.

Nutritional value of cottonseed meal for swine in the finishing phase

The aim of this study was to determine the digestibility coefficients of the nutritional components of cottonseed meal for pigs in the finishing phase. Fourteen castrated male commercial pigs with average initial weight of 56.29 ± 2.49 kg were used. The animals were housed individually in cages for metabolic study (experimental unit) in a randomized complete block design (defined by initial weight) with two treatments and seven replications per treatment. The treatments consisted of a reference diet, formulated to meet the minimum nutritional requirements of pigs in the finishing phase, and a test diet, consisting of 75% of the reference diet and 25% of cottonseed meal. The total feces collection method was used. The values of chemical and digestible composition of cottonseed meal were 88.78; 93.82; 6.18; 21.11; 19.26; 4.29 and 44.09%; and 57.78; 48.62; 0.48; 2.82; 5.83; 2.58 and 28.86% for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), mineral matter (MM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ether extract (EE) and protein (CP) respectively. The values are close to those found in the literature, exception for the protein that presented higher value, however the digestibility was relatively low. Cottonseed meal has high nutritional value, but with low digestible values.

Nutritive value of enzyme-supplemented carinata meal for growing pigs.

Carinata meal is increasingly available for livestock feeding. However, the effects of supplemental phytase and fiber degrading enzymes on nutritive value of carinata meal for pigs have not been reported. Objective of the study was to evaluate the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acid (AA), and digestible energy (DE) and net energy (NE) values of phytase- and fiber-degrading enzymes-supplemented carinata meal for growing pigs. Ten ileal-cannulated pigs (initial body weight = 53.9 ± 4.76 kg) were fed 4 diets in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with two additional columns to give 10 replicates per diet. Diets included a corn-soybean meal (SBM)-based basal diet, basal diet with 25% carinata meal, basal diet with 25% carinata meal plus phytase at 2,000 FTU/kg and multi-carbohydrase at 0.2 g/kg, and in addition a nitrogen-free diet. The multicarbohydrase supplied 4 units of xylanase, 10 units of β-glucanase, and 1,000 units of pectinase per kilogram of diet. The ratio of corn to SBM and soybean oil in carinata meal-containing diets was identical to that in the corn-SBM-based basal diet to allow calculation of AA and energy digestibility of carinata meal by the difference method. On a dry matter basis, carinata meal contained 50.2% crude protein, 0.88% ether extract, 15.37% acid detergent fiber, 1.82% Lys, 0.96% Met, 1.89% Thr, and 0.64% Trp, respectively. The SID of Lys, Met, Thr, and Trp for carinata meal were 51.4%, 82.2%, 65.9%, and 85.9%, respectively. The DE and NE values for carinata meal were 3,427 and 1,828 kcal/kg of dry matter, respectively. Supplementation of a combination of phytase and multicarbohydrase did not affect the apparent ileal digestibility of AA and SID of AA for the corn-SBM-carinata meal-based diet, and for the carinata meal. However, the combination of phytase and multicarbohydrase did improve (P < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility, and DE and NE values for carinata meal by 9.4%, 9.5%, and 12.4%, respectively. In conclusion, the enzymes used in the current study could be added in carinata meal-based diets for growing pigs to improve the energy value.

Basal diet and indigestible marker influence apparent digestibilities of nitrogen and amino acids of cottonseed meal and soybean meal in pigs.

This study was to determine the apparent ileal nitrogen (N) and amino acid digestibilities of cottonseed meal (CSM) and soybean meal (SBM) in simple carbohydrate-based and more complex wheat-based diets. Twenty five Large White × Landrace boars (40.9 kg) were randomly allocated to one of 5 dietary treatments: a wheat diet, 40% CSM in either a sugar:starch (1:1) or wheat-based diet, or 40% SBM in either a sugar:starch or wheat-based diet for 14 d. All diets contained vitamins, minerals, and contained acid-insoluble ash (AIA) and Cr2O3 as indigestible markers. Rations were offered (1,800 g/pig per d) in 3 meals/d on d 1 – 11 and 8 meals/d on d 12 – 13. On d 14, the pigs were fed hourly for 8 h. After the 8th meal, pigs were anaesthetised with isoflurothane, and ileal and faecal digesta sampled from the terminal ileum and rectum before lethal injection of barbiturate. Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of N was greater (12.1%) when CSM was fed in the wheat-based diet as compared to the simple carbohydrate-based diet, whereas apparent ileal N digestibility of SBM was slightly lower (−4.5%) in the wheat-based diet as compared to the sugar:starch-based diet. Apparent ileal amino acid digestibility generally respondeds similarly to N. Therefore, while there was a wide difference in apparent N and amino acid digestibilities of SBM and CSM when they were fed in the sugar:starch-based diets, these differences were less apparent when they were fed the wheat-based diet. There was an apparent net release of N into the hindgut of pigs fed CSM in both base diets. Conversely, there was quite substantial apparent digestion of N in the hindgut of pigs fed SBM in both base diets. The use of Cr2O3 as an indigestible marker resulted in lower apparent ileal and faecal digestibilities than using AIA, particularly for diets containing CSM. These data demonstrate that the basal diet and choice of indigestible marker can substantially influence the estimate of apparent N digestibility, this response can differ for different protein meals.

Use of polyethylene glycol to improve the utilisation of leguminous leaf meals in pigs: A review

The use of leguminous leaf meal as feed ingredients for pigs needs to be intensified and improved. Leguminous trees and shrubs are valuable sources of protein, amino acids, and dietary fibre for pigs. Leguminous leaf meals are abundant in the tropical regions and their use as alternate protein-rich feed ingredients for pigs is promising. In tropics, climate change and vegetation management practices have certainly increased the availability of shrub legumes compared to grasses. There is, therefore, a need to resort on harnessing abundant and cheap feed resources to cope with environmental changes and rise of feed prices. Leguminous leaf meals are invaluable feed ingredients for pigs because of their relatively high crude protein and they are highly available. The leguminous leaves also thrive in, and tolerate, adverse climatic and soil conditions. However, their utilisation is limited by presence of polyphenolic compounds, particularly condensed tannins that inhibit their efficient use by pigs. Other challenges for the utilisation of legume-based leaf meal diets are the presence of thorns and high fibre content. If leguminous leaf meals are included in the diet beyond optimum levels, polyphenolic compounds can suppress appetite, promote feed refusal, reduce digestibility, and can induce toxicity in pigs. This warrants investigation on the use of tannin-binding agents (TBA) to improve nutrient utilisation of leguminous leaf meal-containing diets fed to pigs. The inclusion level of polyethylene glycol (PEG) in livestock diets has a huge potential to neutralise negative effects of undesirable polyphenolic compounds. Therefore, the current review aimed to assess the potential of PEG to inactivate tannin and amount of PEG to include for optimum pig performance.Keywords: Leguminous leaf meals, performance, pigs, polyethylene glycol, polyphenolic compounds

Metabolizable energy in energy food for growing pigs and crossvalidation regression models

The present study aimed to determine the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) of six corn cultivars, two sorghum cultivars and two wheat brans and to evaluate the cross-validation of predictive models of AME for corn, sorghum and wheat bran for growing pigs, as estimated from the data of chemical composition. Forty-four pigs, with an average initial weight of 24.3 kg, were distributed in a randomized block design, with 11 treatments (ten food treatments and the reference diet), four replicates and one pig per experimental unit. The reference diet was replaced by 30% for the ground corn and sorghum conditions and 20% for the wheat bran condition. The values of AME for corn, sorghum and wheat meal for pigs ranged from 3161 to 3275, 3317 to 3457 and 2767 to 2842 kcal kg-1 as a feed basis, respectively. The average metabolizability of the gross energy did not differ between the corn and sorghum cultivars, which formed a homogeneous group of food. Next, linear regression models were fitted to the 1st degree of the observed values as a function of the predicted AME, to test the hypothesis β0 = 0 and β1 = 1 in an experimental sample and 200 bootstrap samples. Fourteen predictive models had low percentages of cross-validation, ranging from 0-29.5%. The AME1A = 2.547 + 0.969ADE model was validated in experimental sample and 68% of bootstrap samples, proving its accuracy in estimating the AME of corn and sorghum from national data for growing pigs.

Effect of feed intake level and dietary protein content on the body temperature of pigs housed under thermo neutral conditions.

Feed intake and diet composition appear to affect the body temperature of pigs. Two trials were conducted to analyse the effect of feed intake level and dietary protein content on the intestinal temperature (IT) of pigs housed under thermo neutral conditions. Ten pigs (64.1±1.3kg initial body weight) fitted with an ileal cannula were used. A thermometer set to register the IT at 5-min intervals was implanted into the ileum through the cannula. In both trials, the ambient temperature ranged from 19.1 to 21.6°C and the pigs were fed at 07:00 and 19:00hr (same amount each time). In trial 1, the pigs were fed daily 1.2 or 1.8kg of a wheat-soybean meal diet. The IT followed a similar pattern along a 24-hr period regardless the feed intake level. The IT rapidly increased up to 0.61 and 0.74°C after the morning meal and up to 0.53 and 0.47°C after the evening meal in pigs fed 1.2 and 1.8kg/d respectively. The postprandial IT was higher in pigs fed 1.8kg after each meal (p<.05). In trial 2, pigs were fed daily 1.8kg of a low (11%) or a high (22%) crude protein diet. The IT followed a similar pattern along the 24-hr period regardless the dietary protein level. The postprandial IT did not differ between pigs fed the low protein or the high protein (p>.10). The IT rapidly increased up to 0.66 and 0.62°C after the morning meal in pigs fed the high- and low-protein diet (p<.05), but there was no change after the evening meal (p>.10). In conclusion, the feed intake level affected the IT of pigs housed under TN conditions, but the dietary protein content had no effect.

Digestibility and intestinal fermentability of canola meal from Brassica juncea and Brassica napus fed to ileal-cannulated grower pigs

Yellow-seeded Brassica (B.) juncea is a novel canola species. Therefore, its meal co-product requires feed quality evaluation and comparison to conventional, dark-seeded B. napus canola meal for pigs. The B. juncea canola meal contains less fibre than B. napus canola meal (190 vs. 260g NDF/kg, as is), but also less lysine (20.3 vs. 22.1g/kg). Nutrient digestibility and fermentibility of B. juncea and B. napus canola meal were assessed in a 2×2factorial arrangement. Six ileal-cannulated pigs (47kg BW) were fed six diets in a 6×6 Latin square: basal diet (460g wheat/kg and corn starch), 4 diets with 460g wheat/kg and either B. juncea or B. napus canola meal at 250 or 500g/kg replacing corn starch, sugar and canola oil, and an N-free diet based on corn starch. The B. juncea canola meal had greater (P<0.05) CATTD of gross energy than B. napus canola meal (0.70 vs. 0.63) most likely due to its lower fibre content. Ileal total VFA concentration was lower (P<0.001) in pigs fed B. juncea than B. napus canola meal diets (15.2 vs. 20.8μmol/g of wet digesta). In pigs fed B. juncea canola meal instead of B. napus canola meal diets, the molar ratio was greater (P<0.01) for digesta propionate and faecal acetate, but lower (P<0.05) for digesta and faecal butyrate. Canola meal species did not affect the CAID of gross energy, CSID of amino acid and faecal VFA content. The digestible energy (DE) value was greater (P<0.01; 12.1 vs. 10.9MJ/kg, standardised to 100g/kg moisture) for B. juncea than B. napus canola meal. Increasing dietary inclusion of canola meal up to 500g/kg reduced (P<0.01) diet digestibility of gross energy but not amino acids and decreased (P<0.05) intestinal fermentability of B. napus but not B. juncea. In conclusion, B. juncea canola meal had greater fermentability and ATTD of gross energy than B. napus canola meal, but digestibility of amino acids did not differ. Increasing dietary inclusion of canola meal up to 500g/kg reduced digestibility of gross energy but not digestibility of AA. Fermentability of B. napus canola meal but not B. juncea canola meal decreased in the pig intestine with increased dietary inclusion. Hence, yellow-seeded B. juncea canola meal had a greater DE value, similar amino acid digestibility as conventional dark-seed B. napus canola meal and may limit protein fermentation in the pig intestine.

Model development of hydroxyproline induced hyperoxaluria in young growing pigs

Aim of the study. In this study, we sought to create a model of reversible hyperoxaluria in pigs by feeding with hydroxyproline (HP). Materials and methods. The experiment included 12 pigs divided into 2 groups (n = 6). The pigs were fed twice a day. At the beginning of the experiment, in the adaptation period, all pigs were given standard feed. In the next 7 days, an increasing amount of hydroxyproline (1–3% HP), was added to the feed. In next 14 days, 4% HP was administered in each pig meal. After 14 days of 4% HP diet, the pigs were randomly divided into 2 groups. For 6 pigs, 4% HP treatment had been continued for the next 14 days while the second group of pigs for the next 14 days received a standard HP free diet. 24h urine samples, blood and fecal samples were collected on particular days. Results. The addition of HP to the diet increased urinary oxalate excretion. A characteristic increase was noted after 12 days of treatment with 4% HP. During the removal period, oxalate excretion decreased in the group without HP in diet, while in the group which continued with a 4% HP diet, oxalate excretion significantly increased. Gross examination of kidneys showed that in the group which had 4% HP diet for 4 weeks, kidneys were fibrotic with enlarged cavities, and had small visible urinary stones. In second group, kidneys were relatively normal looking with no visible stones. Conclusion. Hyperoxaluria is reversible, if HP is removed 14 days after the start of 4% HP diet. Prolonged exposure up to 4 weeks causes pathologic changes in kidneys including crystals, sand and small stone formation. (Less)

Growth performance and nutrition-related serum metabolites in growing pigs fed on Acacia Tortilis leaf meal

The objective of the study was to determine the response in metabolites and growth performance in growing pigs fed on Acacia tortilis leaf meal-based diets using a dose-response trial. Forty-eight male hybrid pigs (28.5±2.18kg BW) were individually penned and assigned in a complete randomized design to six experimental diets containing 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150g/kg DM of A. tortilis leaf meal. Pigs were bled once after three weeks for biochemical analyses. An increase in A. tortilis resulted in quadratic reductions in ADFI (P<0.0001) and ADG (P<0.05), and linear decreases in G:F (P<0.001). Serum iron, cholesterol and total protein initially increased, and then started decreasing with incremental levels of A. tortilis. There was a quadratic increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P<0.001) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P<0.01) and a linear increase (P<0.001) in alkaline phosphatases (ALP) observed as A. tortilis inclusion increased. Using the broken-stick model, the optimum levels of leaf meals marking break points at which threshold values of ADG, serum iron, serum cholesterol and total protein occurred when A. tortilis was included at 64.8, 60.0, 87.1 and 63.2g/kg DM, respectively. In conclusion, growth performance, serum iron and total proteins are reliable indicators of optimum inclusion levels of leaf meals in pigs.

Prediction equations for the energy values of soybean meal for pigs at the growing phase withex-postvalidation

= 0.65 and e p = 1.69. Based on the chemical composition data and correlations, it was possible to establish prediction equations for the values of digestible and metabolizable energy of soybean meal for pigs, being necessary validation for greater accuracy of the models.

Unfermented recalcitrant polysaccharide structures from rapeseed (Brassica napus) meal in pigs

Unprocessed and acid-extruded rapeseed meal (RSM) was fed to pigs as the only source of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and protein. Unfermented carbohydrate structures were analyzed. Acid-extrusion seemed to increase rigidness of the NSP-matrix in vivo, without affecting NSP-fermentability. Water-soluble NSP were almost completely fermented in the colon. From the water-insoluble unfermented carbohydrates 46–68% (w/w) was analyzed as the polysaccharides rhamnogalacturonan, (branched) arabinan, XXXG-type xyloglucan, linear xylan, galactomannan, and cellulose. A major fraction (35–54% w/w) of the unfermented carbohydrates was unexpectedly released as small uronyl-rich carbohydrates (<14kDa) during alkaline extraction using 6M NaOH. It follows that alkali-labile bonds hindered the complete fermentation of NSP in pigs and that fermentation may be improved by an alkaline pretreatment of RSM in the feed.

Effects of dietary fibers with different physicochemical properties on feeding motivation in adult female pigs

The satiating effects of dietary fiber may depend more on physicochemical properties of the fiber than on total fiber intake. These properties are expected to affect satiety feelings and feeding motivation due to different effects in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of the current study was to assess the effects of fibers with varying physicochemical properties (bulkiness, viscosity and fermentability) on feeding motivation in adult female pigs. Sixteen pair-housed pigs received four diets: lignocellulose (LC), pectin (PEC), resistant starch (RS), and control (C) without fiber, in four periods in a Latin square design. Each fiber was fed at a low (L) followed by a high (H) inclusion level (7days each). At 1h, 3h, and 7h after the morning meal, feeding motivation was assessed in an operant test, where turning a wheel yielded multiple food rewards, and in a runway test, where walking a fixed U-shaped track yielded one food reward. Pigs were observed in their home pen for 6h, using 90-s instantaneous scan sampling. In the operant test, throughout the day feeding motivation was higher for pigs on PEC compared with pigs on LC. In the runway, feeding motivation increased particularly at 1h after the meal for pigs on PEC compared with pigs on RS. Also at 7h, feeding motivation tended to decrease for pigs on RS compared with pigs fed other diets. In their home pen, pigs on PEC showed more feeder-directed behavior compared with pigs on RS. In conclusion, PEC was the least satiating fiber. LC and RS, despite a lower supply of available energy, were the most satiating fibers, possibly due to their bulky and fermentation properties, respectively.

Effects of replacing soybean meal by detoxified Jatropha curcas kernel meal in the diet of growing pigs on their growth, serum biochemical parameters and visceral organs

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of replacing soybean meal by detoxified Jatropha curcas kernel meal (DJM) in the diet of growing pig on their growth, serum biochemical parameter and visceral organ weight. Thirty-six growing pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire), with an average weight of about 21 kg, were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments and three replicates per treatment. The DJM was included in the diets at levels of 0, 54, 102 g/kg to replace 0, 25 or 50% of soybean meal in the diet on an isonitrogenous basis, and designated as DJM0 (control), DJM25 and DJM50, respectively. Feed intake and weight gain were recorded during the experiment. At the end of the experiment, a total of 12 pigs, 6 each from control and DJM50, were slaughtered and examined for internal organ weight and histopathological changes in liver and kidney. Inclusion of DJM had no effect (P>0.05) on weight, weight gain and feed to gain ratio of pigs. No significant effects were observed on visceral organ weights, serum biochemical parameters, and histomorphology of livers and kidneys of pigs fed DJM50 compared to the control group. These results show that the nutritive value of the detoxified Jatropha kernel meal supplemented with additional lysine is comparable with that of soybean meal for pigs.