Effects of microencapsulated complex of organic acids and essential oils on growth performance, nutrient retention, blood profiles, fecal microflora, and lean meat percentage in weaning to finishing pigs

Abstract

A total of 90 pigs (6.47 ± 0.27 kg; 21 d of age) were used in this 22 wk feeding trial to evaluate the effect of microencapsulated complex of organic acids and essential oils (MOE) on growth performance, nutrient retention, blood profile, fecal microflora, and lean meat percentage in pigs. Pigs were randomly distributed to one of three treatment groups (six replicate pens per treatment, five pigs per pen). Dietary treatments were CON, basal diet; MOE1, basal + 0.1% MOE; and MOE2, basal diet + 0.2% MOE. The average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed efficiency ratio were significantly different among treatments (P < 0.05). The apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter was linearly increased (P < 0.05) by MOE2. Red blood cells and immunoglobulin G were significantly different in pigs fed MOE (P < 0.05). The Lactobacillus concentration linearly increased (P < 0.05) in MOE2 treatments compared with other treatments. The meat color (a*, redness) and drip loss decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing level of MOE. In conclusion, MOE supplementation could improve growth performance, nutrient retention, blood profile, fecal microflora, and meat quality in weaning to finishing pigs.