Influence of protected organic acids on growth performance, fecal microbial composition, gas emission, and apparent total tract digestibility in growing pigs

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the effect of protected organic acids on growth performance, fecal microbial composition, gas emission, and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) in growing pigs. A total of 80 crossbred (Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc) growing pigs with average initial body weight (BW) of 22.66 ± 2.45 kg were allotted to one of two dietary treatments with 8 replications and 5 pigs (3 gilts and 2 barrows) per pen in a randomized complete block design in a 6-week study with basal diets (CON) and basal diets + 0.2% microencapsulated organic acids (MOA). A trend and significant effect on average daily gain (ADG) were observed during weeks 2 and 6 ( P < 0.05), respectively. The gain–feed ratio (G:F) was increased ( P = 0.0032) in the MOA group. ADG ( P = 0.0109) and trend in G:F ( P = 0.1010) were observed in the MOA group. However, no difference was observed in the BW and average daily feed intake of pigs. Fecal Escherichia coli counts showed reduction ( P = 0.0143) at week 4. MOA supplementation had no influence on ATTD and fecal gas emission in growing pigs during the entire experiment ( P > 0.05). The MOA supplementation to the basal diet had a positive effect on the growth performance and fecal microbial composition of growing pigs.