Effects of a standardized blend of carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and capsicum oleoresin on performance of growing finishing pigs using multiple trial analysis methodology

Abstract Text:

The optimization of performance at limited expense in growing-finishing pigs is a concern constantly looked after by producers. Many phytomolecules have been reported to influence production efficiency of monogastric animals. Objective was to assess the effect of a standardized protected blend of cinnamaldehyde, carvacrol and capsicum oleoresin (XT, XTRACT® 6930, Pancosma, Geneva, Switzerland) on performance and carcass quality of growing finishing pigs. The database regrouped 14 trials organized in 7 studies (500 pigs; mean initial BW of 47.0 kg, mean duration of 69.0 days, mean XT dose of 83.5 g/t). all trials reported side by side comparisons of an unsupplemented control diet to the inclusion of XT in pigs. Outcomes selected were DMI, ADG, FCR, carcass yield, fat thickness in G2 and meat %. Data were analyzed using a mixed model with the TRIAL variable as a random effect and the TRT variable as a fixed effect. Mean values were calculated using the LSMEANS procedure of XLstat, weighting the data for the variance among trials. Results showed that XT increased ADG by 2.6% (P < 0.05) and reduced FI and FCR by respectively 1.1% (P < 0.05) and 3.8% (P < 0.01). For these outcomes, the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval was then used to assess the effect of XT supplementation on fattening duration or pig weight at slaughter. For a fixed slaughter weight of 120 kg, the effect of XT on performance resulted in a reduction of growing and fattening by 2.2 days. After 115 days of fattening, XT increased final BW by 1.7 kg. Finally, XT did not affect carcass yield and fat thickness G2 (P > 0.50) but increased meat percentage by 1.2% (P = 0.06). These findings suggest that the dietary supplementation of XT improves performance of growing finishing pigs.

Keywords: multiple analysis, phytomolecules, pigs performance