Amino acid digestibility and concentration of digestible and metabolizable energy in copra meal, palm kernel expellers, and palm kernel meal fed to growing pigs

Comparison of Amino Acid Digestibility between Commercial Crossbred Pigs and Mini-Jeju Island Native Pigs

The objectives of this study were to determine the apparent ileal digestibility and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) in feed ingredients, compare the ileal digestibility of CP and AA between commercial crossbred pigs and mini-Jeju Island native pigs (JINP), and develop models for estimating SID of CP and AA for commercial pigs using mini-JINP data. The study involved five crossbred commercial pigs (31.5 ± 1.6 kg of body weight and 11 weeks of age; Landrace × Yorkshire) and five mini-JINP (31.0 ± 3.2 kg body weight and 20 weeks of age). The pigs were surgically equipped with a T-cannula at the end of ileum. Each pig breed was assigned to 5 dietary treatments in a 5 × 10 incomplete Latin square design with 10 periods. Four experimental diets were formulated to contain each of soybean meal, corn gluten feed, copra meal, and sesame expellers as the sole source of nitrogen. A nitrogen-free diet was also prepared to determine basal endogenous losses of CP and AA. No interaction between breed and feed ingredient was observed for the digestibility of CP and all indispensable AA. The SID of CP and all indispensable AA, except Arg, His, and Lys, did not differ between the two breeds of pigs. Prediction equations were developed for SID of CP and AA of commercial pigs using the SID values of mini-JINP: SID of CP (%) = (1.02 × SID of CP in mini-JINP) - 5.20 with r2 = 0.97 and p < 0.05; SID of Lys (%) = (1.12 × SID of Lys in mini-JINP) - 9.10 with r2 = 0.98 and p < 0.05; and SID of Met (%) = (1.08 × SID of Met in mini-JINP) - 4.27 with r2 = 0.96 and p < 0.05. The digestibility for most AA in feedstuffs for commercial pigs can be estimated using data from mini-JINP.

Copra Meal: A Review of Its Production, Properties, and Prospects

Copra meal, the byproduct of coconut oil production, has been widely available at low cost but has been underutilized, with huge portions still becoming waste. Extensive research on different species have been performed to improve its use as an alternative feed ingredient, aiming to reduce the impact of fluctuating feed prices in some parts of the world where coconut is a major commodity. As for any biological product, the physical and chemical properties of copra meal play a crucial role in its use and limitations. In the case of copra meal, studies have found that additional treatments are needed to improve its nutritional composition and make it readily and efficiently available for ruminant and monogastric animals, poultry, and aquaculture applications. This paper presents a summary of up-to-date information on the physical and chemical characteristics of the product, as well as discussions on the various methods employed to improve and optimize its biological value as animal feed. There have been limited studies that have explored other effective and economical means of utilizing copra meal outside the livestock and feed industry. Hence, this paper also aims to provide a lens on future prospects and diverse applications involving copra meal, as well as to present the gaps and challenges that have to be addressed to maximize its product value and biological potential.

Isolation of Bacterial and Fungal Microbiota Associated with Hermetia illucens Larvae Reveals Novel Insights into Entomopathogenicity

Larvae of the black soldier fly (BSF) Hermetia illucens are polyphagous feeders and show tremendous bioconversion capabilities of organic matter into high-quality insect biomass. However, the digestion of lignocellulose-rich palm oil side streams such as palm kernel meal (PKM) is a particular challenge, as these compounds are exceptionally stable and are mainly degraded by microbes. This study aimed to investigate the suitability of BSF larvae as bioconversion agents of PKM. Since the intestinal microbiota is considered to play a key role in dietary breakdown and in increasing digestibility, the bacterial and fungal communities of BSF larvae were characterized in a culture-dependent approach and screened for their putative entomopathogenicity. The lethality of six putative candidates was investigated using intracoelomal injection. In total, 93 isolates were obtained with a bacterial share of 74% that were assigned to the four phyla Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. Members of the genera Klebsiella, Enterococcus, and Sphingobacterium are part of the core microbiome, as they were frequently described in the gut of Hermetia larvae regardless of diet, nutritional composition, or rearing conditions. With 75%, a majority of the fungal isolates belonged to the phylum Ascomycota. We identified several taxa already published to be able to degrade lignocelluloses, including Enterococcus, Cellulomonas, Pichia yeasts, or filamentous Fusarium species. The injection assays revealed pronounced differences in pathogenicity against the larvae. While Alcaligenes faecalis caused no, Diutina rugosa weak (23.3%), Microbacterium thalassium moderate (53.3%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae high (≥80%) lethality, Fusarium solani injection resulted in 100% lethality.

Nutritional Potentials of Atypical Feed Ingredients for Broiler Chickens and Pigs

Simple Summary

Common feed ingredients such as corn, barley, wheat, soybean meal, and canola meal are used to feed broiler chickens and pigs in various countries around the world. However, due to rising costs and the need to practice sustainable animal husbandry, concerted efforts have been aimed at identifying and examining the nutritional potentials of atypical feed ingredients for pigs and chickens. Although there are some articles and reviews that discuss the potential of a single or few feed ingredients for either chickens or pigs, there has not been an extensive review that integrates information from several alternative feed ingredients for both species in one place. Therefore, this review aims to enumerate several feed ingredients that have shown prospects in supplying either one or more nutrients to pigs and chickens while reducing the dependence on commonly used feedstuff. In addition, feeding practices, merits, and limitations associated with these uncommon feed ingredients are discussed. Furthermore, practical applications of these alternative feed ingredients in relation to either pigs or chickens are briefly examined.

Abstract

Diets play an important part in monogastric nutrition. This is because diets are comprised of various feed ingredients that supply energy and nutrients required by broiler chickens or pigs for normal growth and development. The main feed ingredients used for formulating diets for pigs and chickens are comprised of cereals and oilseed meals. Corn and soybean meal (SBM) are mostly used in North America for animal feeds. However, due to geographical locations, availability, and cost, ingredients such as wheat, barley, and canola meal are often used for feeding pigs and chickens. Overdependence on common ingredients such as corn and SBM for decades has resulted in rising costs of animal production. Therefore, the need has risen to examine the potentials of alternative feed ingredients capable of supplying the required energy and nutrients for monogastric animals. Research has been carried out to identify and evaluate several uncommon feed ingredients and their utilization by broiler chickens and pigs. Thus, this review enumerates the nutritional potentials of feed ingredients in 4 main nutritional classes using information from articles in peer-reviewed journals. Feeding practices, advantages, and limitations of using certain uncommon feed ingredients are discussed. In addition, species-specific factors in terms of practical applications are explored.

Amino acid digestibility in diets containing copra meal with β-mannanase fed to growing pigs

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to estimate standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) in growing pigs fed diets containing increasing levels of copra meal (CM) with β-mannanase supplementation.

METHODS

Twenty barrows (initial body weight: 34.43±0.11 kg) surgically fitted with T-cannulas at the distal ileum were individually housed in metabolism crates. Pigs were allotted to 5 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with 4 replicates per treatment. The dietary treatments were: i) NC, negative control, corn-soybean meal (SBM) based diet, ii) PC, positive control, basal diet + 0.10% β-mannanase supplementation (800 IU/kg), iii) CM6, PC diet with 6% CM supplementation, iv) CM12, PC diet with 12% CM supplementation, and v) CM18, PC diet with 18% CM supplementation. A nitrogen-free diet was used to estimate basal endogenous losses of AA for SID calculation. All experimental diets contained 0.5% chromic oxide as an indigestible marker. Each period consisted of a 4-d diet adaptation period and a 3-d ileal digesta collection period.

RESULTS

There were no differences in apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and SID of all AA between the NC and PC treatments except that the PC treatment had lower AID and SID of glycine than the NC treatment (p<0.05). There were linear decreases in AID and SID of lysine (p<0.05) and aspartic acid (p = 0.06; tendency) with increasing levels of CM in the diets with β-mannanase.

CONCLUSION

The β-mannanase supplementation had no effect on AA digestibility in pigs fed the corn-SBM based diet but increasing levels of CM reduced SID of lysine and aspartic acid.

Effects of physicochemical characteristics of feed ingredients on the apparent total tract digestibility of energy, DM, and nutrients by growing pigs

Effects of physicochemical characteristics of feed ingredients on DE and ME and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of GE, DM, and nutrients were determined in growing pigs using ingredients with different ratios between insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) and soluble dietary fiber (SDF). Eighty growing barrows (BW: 48.41 ± 1.50 kg) were allotted to a randomized complete block design with 10 diets and eight replicate pigs per diet. Dietary treatments included a corn-based diet, a wheat-based diet, a corn-soybean meal (SBM) diet, and seven diets based on a mixture of the corn-SBM diet and canola meal, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn germ meal (CGM), copra expellers, sugar beet pulp (SBP), synthetic cellulose, or pectin. Values for the ATTD of DM and nutrients were also compared with the in vitro digestibility of GE, DM, and nutrients. Results indicated that the ATTD of GE was greater (P < 0.05) in wheat than in canola meal, DDGS, CGM, copra expellers, SBP, and synthetic cellulose, but not different from corn, SBM, or pectin. SBM had greater (P < 0.05) DE and ME (DM basis) compared with all other ingredients. The concentration of ME (DM basis) was greater (P < 0.05) in wheat than in canola meal, DDGS, CGM, copra expellers, SBP, synthetic cellulose, and pectin, but not different from corn. Stronger correlations between total dietary fiber (TDF) and DE and ME than between ADF or NDF and DE and ME were observed, indicating that TDF can be used to more accurately predict DE and ME than values for NDF or ADF. The DE, ME, and the ATTD of DM in ingredients were positively correlated (P < 0.05) with in vitro ATTD of DM, indicating that the in vitro procedure may be used to estimate DE and ME in feed ingredients. Swelling and water-binding capacity were positively correlated (P < 0.05) with the ATTD of IDF, TDF, nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP), and insoluble NSP, and viscosity was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with the ATTD of NDF, IDF, and insoluble NSP, indicating that some physical characteristics may influence digestibility of fiber. However, physical characteristics of feed ingredients were not correlated with the concentration of DE and ME, which indicates that these parameters do not influence in vivo energy digestibility in feed ingredients. It is concluded that the DE and ME in feed ingredients may be predicted from some chemical constituents and from in vitro digestibility of DM, but not from physical characteristics.

Effects of complex probiotic supplementation in growing pig diets with and without palm kernel expellers on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, fecal microbial shedding and noxious gas emission

In Experiment 1, a total of 100 growing pigs (Duroc × [Landrace × Yorkshire]) with an average initial body weight (BW) of 24.88 ± 1.57 kg were randomly allotted to 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two concentrations of palm kernel expellers (PKE) in diets at 0% or 10%, and two concentrations of supplemental probiotics at 0 or 6.0 × 10⁷  colony-forming units/kg. There were five replicate pens per treatment with five pigs per pen. In Experiment 2, eight barrows with average initial BW of 25.78 ± 0.19 kg were allotted to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four diets and four periods per square. Four experimental diets were the same as Experiment 1. In Experiment 1, dietary probiotic supplementation improved (P < 0.05) the average daily gain (ADG), nutrient digestibility and the fecal Lactobacillus counts. Furthermore, interactive effects (P < 0.05) between PKE and probiotics were observed on ADG and growth-to-feed ratio. In Experiment 2, an interactive effect (P < 0.05) of PKE and probiotics was observed in apparent ileal digestibility of nitrogen and some amino acids. In conclusion, dietary probiotics did not improve PKE utilization and the use of probiotics in non-PKE-containing diet was more favorable than in PKE-containing diet.

Effect of inclusion level and adaptation duration on digestible energy and nutrient digestibility in palm kernel meal fed to growing-finishing pigs

Objective

An experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of inclusion level of palm kernel meal (PKM) and adaptation duration on the digestible energy (DE) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of chemical constituents in diets fed to growing-finishing pigs.

Methods

Thirty crossbred barrows (Duroc×Landrace×Large White) with an average initial body weight of 85.0±2.1 kg were fed 5 diets in a completely randomized design. The diets included a corn-soybean meal basal diet and 4 additional diets in which corn and soybean meal were partly replaced by 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40% PKM. After 7 d of adaptation to the experimental diets, feces were collected from d 8 to 12, d 15 to 19, d 22 to 26, and d 29 to 33, respectively.

Results

The DE and ATTD of gross energy (GE), dry matter (DM), ash, organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and crude protein (CP) in diets decreased linearly as the dietary PKM increased within each adaptation duration (p< 0.01). Diet containing 19.5% PKM had less DE value and ATTD of all detected items compared with other diets when fed to pigs for 14 days (p<0.05). The ATTD of CP in PKM calculated by 19.5% and 39.0% linearly increased as adaptation duration prolonged from 7 to 28 days (p<0 .01).

Conclusion

Inclusion level of PKM and adaptation duration had an interactive effect on DE and the ATTD of GE, DM, OM, and CP (p<0.01 or 0.05) but ash, NDF, and ADF in diet (p> 0.05). Considering a stable determination, 21 days of adaptation to a diet containing 19.5% PKM is needed in pigs and a longer adaptation time is recommended as dietary PKM increases.

Quality of Frozen Pork from Pigs Fed Diets Containing Palm Kernel Meal as an Alternative to Corn Meal

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of palm kernel meal (PKM), an alternative to corn, on the quality of pork. A total of 72 crossbred pigs ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc) were assigned into four dietary treatments (PKM level of 0, 4, 8, or 12%). After 12 wk, one pig of median weight in each pen was selected and slaughtered to analyze meat quality. The color, free radical scavenging activity, lipid oxidation, texture, composition of fatty acids, and sensory qualities of pork loin were evaluated post slaughter. When the levels of PKM in the diet increased, the L*-value of pork loin decreased, whereas a*-value and total saturated fatty acids increased. 2-Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values of pork loin were lower in groups treated with 8 and 12% PKM than in the control group at day 0; this difference, however, was not observed at day 3 and 7. The results of texture analysis showed that increasing the PKM ratio decreased hardness, chewiness, and springiness at day 7. The sensory test, however, indicated no differences between the control and treated groups. These findings show that finisher pigs could tolerate PKM as a replacement for corn; PKM did not negatively affect the quality of pork, indicating that it can be utilized as feed.

Effect of feeding different levels of palm kernel cake fermented by Paenibacillus polymyxa ATCC 842 on broiler growth performance, blood biochemistry, carcass characteristics, and meat quality

A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of palm kernel cake fermented by Paenibacillus polymyxa ATCC 842 (FPKC) on broiler performance. A total of 245 1-day-old broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were raised in the conventional open-sided house. The birds were fed diets containing 0 (Control), 5%, 10% and 15% palm kernel cake (PKC) and 5%, 10%, 15% FPKC. The bodyweight and the feed intake were recorded. The bodyweight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Carcass characteristics and meat quality were measured at the end of the experiment, whereas blood was collected at 21 (starter) and 42 days (finisher) to determine blood biochemistry. The results showed that the addition of 10% or 15% PKC in broiler diets led to a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in BWG and increase in FCR during the finisher phase or overall performance. However, BWG and FCR were improved (P < 0.05) in chickens fed with 10% or 15% FPKC compared with those fed with 10% or 15% PKC or the Control group. The relative weight of the gizzard was higher (P < 0.05) for the broiler group fed with 15% PKC compared with those birds fed the Control diet or FPKC at 3 weeks of age. No significant differences were observed among the dietary treatments in blood biochemistry, breast meat colour, drip loss, cooking loss and tenderness. In conclusion, the present experiment showed that palm kernel cake fermented by P. polymyxa ATCC 842 could be fed to broiler chickens up to 15% in their rations without any adverse effect on the growth performance and meat quality.

Determination and prediction of digestible and metabolizable energy concentrations in byproduct feed ingredients fed to growing pigs

Objective

An experiment was conducted to determine digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) of different byproduct feed ingredients fed to growing pigs, and to generate prediction equations for the DE and ME in feed ingredients.

Methods

Twelve barrows with an initial mean body weight of 31.8 kg were individually housed in metabolism crates that were equipped with a feeder and a nipple drinker. A 12×10 incomplete Latin square design was employed with 12 dietary treatments, 10 periods, and 12 animals. A basal diet was prepared to mainly contain the corn and soybean meal (SBM). Eleven additional diets were formulated to contain 30% of each test ingredient. All diets contained the same proportion of corn:SBM ratio at 4.14:1. The difference procedure was used to calculate the DE and ME in experimental ingredients. The in vitro dry matter disappearance for each test ingredient was determined.

Results

The DE and ME values in the SBM sources were greater (p<0.05) than those in other ingredients except high-protein distillers dried grains. However, DE and ME values in tapioca distillers dried grains (TDDG) were the lowest (p<0.05). The most suitable regression equations for the DE and ME concentrations (kcal/kg on the dry matter [DM] basis) in the test ingredients were: DE = 5,528–(156×ash)–(32.4×neutral detergent fiber [NDF]) with root mean square error = 232, R² = 0.958, and p<0.001; ME = 5,243–(153 ash)–(30.7×NDF) with root mean square error = 277, R² = 0.936, and p<0.001. All independent variables are in % on the DM basis.

Conclusion

The energy concentrations were greater in the SBM sources and were the least in the TDDG. The ash and NDF concentrations can be used to estimate the energy concentrations in the byproducts from oil-extraction and distillation processes.

Nutritional value of high fiber co-products from the copra, palm kernel, and rice industries in diets fed to pigs

High fiber co-products from the copra and palm kernel industries are by-products of the production of coconut oil and palm kernel oil. The co-products include copra meal, copra expellers, palm kernel meal, and palm kernel expellers. All 4 ingredients are very high in fiber and the energy value is relatively low when fed to pigs. The protein concentration is between 14 and 22 % and the protein has a low biological value and a very high Arg:Lys ratio. Digestibility of most amino acids is less than in soybean meal but close to that in corn. However, the digestibility of Lys is sometimes low due to Maillard reactions that are initiated due to overheating during drying. Copra and palm kernel ingredients contain 0.5 to 0.6 % P. Most of the P in palm kernel meal and palm kernel expellers is bound to phytate, but in copra products less than one third of the P is bound to phytate. The digestibility of P is, therefore, greater in copra meal and copra expellers than in palm kernel ingredients. Inclusion of copra meal should be less than 15 % in diets fed to weanling pigs and less than 25 % in diets for growing-finishing pigs. Palm kernel meal may be included by 15 % in diets for weanling pigs and 25 % in diets for growing and finishing pigs.

Rice bran contains the pericarp and aleurone layers of brown rice that is removed before polished rice is produced. Rice bran contains approximately 25 % neutral detergent fiber and 25 to 30 % starch. Rice bran has a greater concentration of P than most other plant ingredients, but 75 to 90 % of the P is bound in phytate. Inclusion of microbial phytase in the diets is, therefore, necessary if rice bran is used. Rice bran may contain 15 to 24 % fat, but it may also have been defatted in which case the fat concentration is less than 5 %. Concentrations of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) are slightly less in full fat rice bran than in corn, but defatted rice bran contains less than 75 % of the DE and ME in corn. The concentration of crude protein is 15 to 18 % in rice bran and the protein has a high biological value and most amino acids are well digested by pigs. Inclusion of rice bran in diets fed to pigs has yielded variable results and based on current research it is recommended that inclusion levels are less than 25 to 30 % in diets for growing-finishing pigs, and less than 20 % in diets for weanling pigs. However, there is a need for additional research to determine the inclusion rates that may be used for both full fat and defatted rice bran.

Effects of Supplemental Beta-mannanase on Digestible Energy and Metabolizable Energy Contents of Copra Expellers and Palm Kernel Expellers Fed to Pigs

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of β-mannanase supplementation on digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) contents of copra expellers (CE) and palm kernel expellers (PKE) fed to pigs. Six barrows with an initial body weight of 38.0 kg (standard deviation = 1.5) were randomly allotted to a 6×6 Latin square design with 6 dietary treatments and 6 periods. Six experimental diets were prepared in a 3×2 factorial treatment arrangement with 3 diets of a corn-soybean meal-based diet, a CE 30% diet, and a PKE 30% diet and with 2 concentrations of supplemental β-mannanase at 0 or 2,400 U/kg. All diets had the same proportion of corn:soybean meal ratio at 2.88:1. The marker-to-marker procedure was used for fecal and urine collection with 4-d adaptation and 5-d collection periods. No interactive effects were observed between diet and β-mannanase on energy digestibility and DE and ME contents of experimental diets. However, diets containing CE or PKE had less (p<0.05) DE and ME contents compared with the corn-soybean meal-based diet. The DE and ME contents in CE and PKE were not affected by supplemental β-mannanase. Taken together, we failed to find the effect of β-mannanase supplementation on energy utilization in CE and PKE fed to pigs.

Effects of Palm Kernel Expellers on Productive Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and White Blood Cells of Lactating Sows

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of palm kernel expellers on productive performance, nutrient digestibility, and changes in white blood cells (WBC) of lactating sows. A total of 14 sows (200±12 kg of average body weight [BW]; 2.5 of average parity) were used and moved from gestation room to farrowing room on d 109 of gestation. Sows were randomly assigned to 2 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. The treatments were a diet based on corn and soybean meal (CON) and CON added with 20% of palm kernel expellers (PKE). Sows were fed the treatments for 28 days (weaning) after farrowing. Blood was collected from each sow and 4 randomly selected piglets from each sow before farrowing or on d 3, 7, or 14 of lactation. Sows were fed respective treatments containing 0.2% chromic oxide from d 15 to 21 of lactation. Fecal samples were collected daily for the last 3 days after the 4-d adjustment period. Measurements were performances and WBC changes of sows and litter, nutrient digestibility of sows, and daily diarrhea of litter. Sows fed PKE had greater average daily feed intake (7.38 vs 7.10 kg/d; p<0.05) and lost less BW (−6.85 vs −8.54 kg; p<0.05) and backfat depth (−0.42 vs −0.71 mm; p<0.05) than those fed CON. However, there were no differences on digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and energy and weaning to estrus interval of sows fed either CON or PKE. Piglets from sows fed PKE gained more BW (203 vs 181 g/d; p = 0.08) and had less frequency of diarrhea (6.80 vs 8.56%; p = 0.07) than those from sows fed CON. On the other hand, no difference was found on preweaning mortality of piglets from sows fed either CON or PKE. Sows fed PKE had lower number of WBC (9.57 vs 11.82 ×10³/μL; p = 0.09) before farrowing than those fed CON, but no difference on d 3 and 7. Similarly, piglets from sows fed PKE had also lower number of WBC (7.86 vs 9.80 ×10³/μL; p<0.05) on d 14 of lactation than those from sows fed CON, but no difference on d 3 and 7. In conclusion, addition of 20% palm kernel expellers to lactation diet based on corn and soybean meal had no negative effects on productive performance, nutrient digestibility, and WBC changes of lactating sows.

Effects of Palm Kernel Expellers on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Blood Profiles of Weaned Pigs

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of palm kernel expellers on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood profiles of weaned pigs. A total of 88 weaned pigs (6.94±0.76 kg body weight [BW]; 28 d old) were randomly allotted to 2 dietary treatments (4 pigs/pen; 11 replicates/treatment) in a randomized complete block design (sex as a block). The dietary treatments were a typical nursery diet based on corn and soybean meal (CON) and CON added with 20% of palm kernel expellers (PKE). Pigs were fed for 6 wk using a 3-phase feeding program with declining diet complexity and with phases of 1, 2, and 3 wk, respectively. Blood was collected from randomly selected 2 pigs in each pen before weaning and on d 7 after weaning. Pigs were fed respective dietary treatments containing 0.2% chromic oxide from d 29 to 35 after weaning. Fecal samples were collected from randomly selected 2 pigs in each pen daily for the last 3 days after the 4-d adjustment period. Measurements were growth performances, digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and energy, white and red blood cell counts, packed cell volume, and incidence of diarrhea. The PKE increased average daily gain (ADG) (246 vs 215 g/d; p = 0.06) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (470 vs 343 g/d; p<0.05) and decreased gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) (0.522 vs 0.628 g/g; p<0.05) during phase 2 compared with CON, but did not affect growth performance during phase 1 and 3. During overall experimental period, PKE increased ADG (383 vs 362 g/d; p = 0.05) and ADFI (549 vs 496 g/d; p<0.05) compared with CON, but did not affect G:F. However, no differences were found on digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and energy between CON and PKE. The PKE reduced frequency of diarrhea (15% vs 25%; p = 0.08) for the first 2 wk after weaning compared with CON. Similarly, PKE decreased white blood cells (8.19 vs 9.56×10(3)/μL; p = 0.07), red blood cells (2.92 vs 3.25×10(6)/μL; p = 0.09), and packed cell volume (11.1% vs 12.6%; p = 0.06) on d 7 after weaning compared with CON. In conclusion, addition of 20% palm kernel expellers to nursery diet based on corn and soybean meal had no negative effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood profiles of weaned pigs.

Determination and prediction of the energy content and amino acid digestibility of peanut meals fed to growing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine the content of digestible energy (DE) and metabolisable energy (ME) as well as the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardised ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids in peanut meal (PNM) for growing pigs. In Experiment 1, 78 growing pigs (46.8 ± 2.6 kg) were randomly allotted to 1 of 13 diets, including a corn-soya bean meal basal diet and 12 PNM test diets. In Experiment 2, 12 growing barrows (48.7 ± 2.8 kg) were allotted to one of two 6 × 6 Latin squares. The treatments include a N-free diet and 10 PNM test diets. The results of Experiment 1 showed that the DE and ME differed (p < 0.05) among the 12 PNM samples. On a dry matter basis, the DE and ME content ranged from 14.5 to 16.4 MJ/kg (mean 15.6 MJ/kg) and from 12.7 to 15.5 MJ/kg (mean 13.9 MJ/kg), respectively. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE) was 82.2%. The DE of PNM could be precisely predicted by equations including NDF combined with GE or crude protein (CP) with an R(2) value of 0.91 and 0.92, respectively. For the AID and SID for lysine, the results of Experiment 2 indicated variations among PNM sources ranging from 59.6% to 76.7% and 64.8% to 80.9%, respectively. However, for CP, variations for AID and SID were lower and ranged from 70.2% to 81.9% and 75.7% to 85.6%, respectively. The results indicate that the concentration of lysine was the best single predictor to estimate the digestibility of amino acids. However, further work is needed to investigate the reason for the variation in the digestibility of lysine and avoid processing procedures that are detrimental to lysine digestibility.

Determination and prediction of the amino Acid digestibility of sunflower seed meals in growing pigs

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition and amino acid (AA) digestibility of sunflower seed meal (SFSM) and to use this data to develop prediction equations for estimating AA digestibility for growing pigs. Ten SFSM were collected from five provinces in China. Twelve barrows (38.8±4.6 kg), fitted with ileal T-cannula were allotted into two 6×6 Latin square designs. Each of six experimental periods comprised a 5-d adaption period followed by a 2-d collection of ileal digesta. The ten test diets contained 50% SFSM as the sole source of AA. Another nitrogen-free diet was used to measure the basal endogenous losses of crude protein (CP) and AA. Chromic oxide (0.3%) was used as an inert marker in each diet. There was considerable variation (CV>10%) among the ten SFSM in chemical composition (dry matter [DM]). The concentration of CP and ether extract (EE) ranged from 29.33% to 39.09% and 0.88% to 11.33%, respectively. Crude fibre (CF), neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre ranged from 21.46% to 36.42%, 38.15% to 55.40%, and 24.59% to 37.34%, respectively. There was variation among the ten SFSM in apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) for lysine and threonine, which ranged from 63.16 to 79.21 and 55.19% to 72.04% for AID and 67.03% to 82.07% and 61.97% to 77.01% for SID, respectively. The variation in CP and methionine ranged from 60.13% to 74.72% and 74.79% to 88.60% for AID and 66.70% to 79.31% and 77.16% to 90.27% for SID, respectively. Methionine was a good indicator to predict AA digestibility. These results indicate that conventional chemical composition of SFSM was variable (CV>10%) among the ten SFSM (DM). The results of AID, SID and prediction equations could be used to evaluate the digestibility of SFSM in growing pigs.

Standardized total tract digestibility of phosphorus in copra meal, palm kernel expellers, palm kernel meal, and soybean meal fed to growing pigs

Sixty-six barrows (initial BW: 27.4 ± 2.8 kg) were used to determine the standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P in copra meal (CM), palm kernel expellers from Indonesia (PKE-IN), palm kernel expellers from Costa Rica (PKE-CR), palm kernel meal from Costa Rica (PKM), and soybean meal (SBM) without or with exogenous phytase. Pigs were housed individually in metabolism cages and allotted to 11 diets with 6 replicate pigs per diet in a generalized randomized block design. Five diets were formulated by mixing cornstarch and sugar with CM, PKE-IN, PKE-CR, PKM, or SBM. Five additional diets, which were identical to the initial 5 diets but supplemented with 800 units of phytase, were also formulated. A P-free diet was used to measure basal endogenous losses of P by the pigs. Feces were collected for 5 d using the marker to marker approach after a 5-d adaptation period. Analyzed total P in CM, PKE-IN, PKE-CR, PKM, and SBM was 0.52, 0.51, 0.53, 0.54, and 0.67%, respectively. Phytate P was 0.22, 0.35, 0.38, 0.32, and 0.44% in CM, PKE-IN, PKE-CR, PKM, and SBM, respectively. Addition of phytase increased (P < 0.05) the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of P from 60.6 to 80.8, 27.3 to 56.5, 32.6 to 59.9, 48.9 to 64.1, and 41.1 to 72.2% in CM, PKE-IN, PKE-CR, PKM, and SBM, respectively. The ATTD of P in CM was greater (P < 0.05) than in any of the other ingredients. The ATTD of P in SBM and PKM was greater (P < 0.05) than in PKE-IN, with PKE-CR being intermediate. The STTD of P increased (P < 0.05) from 70.6 to 90.3, 37.6 to 66.4, 43.2 to 69.9, 57.9 to 73.5, and 49.6 to 81.1% in CM, PKE-IN, PKE-CR, PKM, and SBM, respectively, when microbial phytase was added to the diets. When expressed as a percentage of total P, phytate P concentration in the ingredient negatively affected (P < 0.05) the ATTD of P (107.09 - 1.0564 × % phytate P; R(2) = 87.1) and the STTD of P (116.3 - 1.0487 × % phytate P; R(2) = 89.4). In conclusion, microbial phytase increased P digestibility of CM, PKM, PKE-CR, PKE-IN, and SBM when fed to growing pigs, and the concentration of phytate P affects the response to microbial phytase.

Energy concentration and phosphorus digestibility in canola, cottonseed, and sunflower products fed to growing pigs

Rodríguez, D. A., Sulabo, R. C., González-Vega, J. C. and Stein, H. H. 2013. Energy concentration and phosphorus digestibility in canola, cottonseed, and sunflower products fed to growing pigs. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 93: 493–503. Many protein sources are available to the swine feed industry, but accurate data for the energy concentration and the standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P in these ingredients are lacking. Therefore, two experiments were conducted to determine the concentration of digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME) and the STTD of P in oilseed products. In exp. 1, 48 barrows (44.8±3.9 kg) were fed a basal diet containing 97.15% corn or seven diets containing corn and canola seed (CS), canola meal (CM), cottonseed meal (CSM), sunflower seed (SFS), sunflower meal (SFM), de-hulled sunflower meal (SFM-DH), or soybean meal (SBM). Six pigs were allotted to each treatment. Sunflower seeds contained 5492 kcal kg−1, at least 689 kcal kg−1 more (P<0.05) ME than all other feed ingredients. Likewise, CS (4803 kcal kg−1) had greater (P<0.05) ME than SBM (3676 kcal kg−1), and both CS and SBM had greater (P<0.05) ME than CM, SFM, SFM-DH, and CSM (2998, 2725, 2631, and 2459 kcal kg−1, respectively). In exp. 2, 84 barrows (13.7±1.5 kg) were allotted to 14 diets, which contained each of the oilseed products without or with phytase, in a randomized complete block design with six pigs per dietary treatment. The STTD of P in SBM was at least 4 percentage units greater (P<0.05) than the STTD of P in the other ingredients. Adding phytase to the diets reduced fecal output of P from all ingredients and increased (P<0.05) the STTD of P for all ingredients except SFM-DH. The ME concentration in SFS and CS is greater than that of SBM and the STTD of P among these ingredients is comparable, which indicates that SFS and CS may be fed to growing pigs at the expense of SBM.

Standardized total tract digestibility of phosphorus in copra expellers, palm kernel expellers, and cassava root fed to growing pigs

An experiment was conducted to determine the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of phosphorus (P) in copra expellers (CE), palm kernel expellers (PKE), and cassava root (CR). Eight barrows (initial BW of 40.0 kg, SD = 4.5) were individually housed in metabolism crates. A replicated 4×3 incomplete Latin square design was employed involving 4 dietary treatments, 3 periods, and 8 animals. Three experimental diets contained 40% CE, PKE or CR as the only source of P. A P-free diet mainly based on corn starch, sucrose, and gelatin was also prepared to estimate the basal endogenous loss of P. The marker-to-marker method was used for fecal collection. Values for the ATTD of P in the CE and PKE were greater than in the CR (46.0 and 39.7 vs -14.0%; p<0.05). However, the STTD of P did not differ greatly among the test ingredients (56.5, 49.0, and 43.2% in the CE, PKE, and CR, respectively). In conclusion, the ATTD of P values in CE and PKE were greater than that in CR, but the STTD of P did not differ greatly among CE, PKE, and CR.