Influence of protected organic acid blends in diets with different nutrient densities on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and fecal noxious gas emission in growing pigs

Abstract Text: An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of protected organic acid blends, in diets of varied nutrient concentrations on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and fecal noxious gas content in growing pigs. A total of 80 pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an average initial BW of 22.6 kg were used in a 6-week trial. Pigs were allocated randomly into one of four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two levels of energy and nutrient density (low and high energy, CP and Lysine) and protected organic acids (0 and 0.1%) according to sex and BW (5 replicates with 2 gilts and 2 barrows per pen). Pigs fed high nutrient density diets had greater (P < 0.05) ADG (630g vs 615g) and G:F (0.445 vs 0.409) than those fed low nutrient density diets. Likewise, pigs fed the protected organic acid diet had greater (P < 0.05) ADG (630g vs 615g) than pigs fed diet without protected organic acids in low nutrient density diets and  ADG was also greater in high nutrient density diet with or without protected organic acids (645 vs 630g). However, there was an interaction (P = 0.03) for G: F among treatments with organic acids and the density of diets. The digestibility of DM tended to be improved (P = 0.08) in pigs fed the high nutrient density diets (74%) compared with the low nutrient density diet (73%). However, digestibility of N and gross energy was not influenced by the nutrient density. Likewise, protected organic acid supplementation did not influence (P > 0.05) DM, N, or gross energy digestibility. Organic acid supplementation reduced (P < 0.05) H₂S content from feces on d1, 3, 5 and 7 of incubation. The low nutrient density diet had less (P < 0.05) H₂S gas content on d1 of incubation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with protected organic acids with the high nutrient diets improved growth performance in growing pigs.

Keywords: growth performance, micro flora, protected organic acid