APPARENT AVAILABILITIES OF AMINO ACIDS IN CORN, WHEAT AND BARLEY FOR GROWING PIGS

Abstract

The apparent ileal and fecal recoveries of amino acids in corn, wheat and barley were determined with barrows ranging in weight from 50 to 70 kg that were fitted with ileocecal re-entrant cannulas. Average ileal availabilities were 4–7% less than average fecal availabilities in the three cereal grains. Of the indispensable amino acids in the cereal grains, the recoveries of lysine and threonine were approximately equal in being the lowest at the end of the ileum, and they decreased from those in corn, to wheat and to those in barley. The recovery of lysine was the lowest in all cereal grains when determined by the fecal analysis method. The apparent fecal recoveries of amino acids in the cereal grains obtained from cannulated pigs were essentially similar to those obtained from non-cannulated pigs. Apparent ileal and fecal recoveries of amino acids in finely ground and cracked wheat were determined with eight barrows that weighed approximately 75 kg. The ileal recoveries of most amino acids were significantly higher (P <.05) in finely ground than in cracked wheat. On the other hand, differences in amino acid availabilities due to processing of wheat could not be detected by the use of the fecal analysis method.