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UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA
EFFECT OF INULIN AND FERMENTED FEED ADDITIVE ON
GROWTH AND NITROGEN BALANCE IN PIGS
WANG WEISHAN
FP 2005 32
EFFECT OF INULIN AND FERMENTED FEED ADDITIVE ON GROWTHAND NITROGEN BALANCE IN PIGS
By
WANG WEISHAN
Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia,in Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science
February 2005
Dedicated to
My beloved Alice
ii
Abstract of thesis presented to the Senate ofUniversiti Putra Malaysia in fulfilmentof the requirement for the Degree ofMaster of Science
EFFECT OF INULIN AND FERMENTED FEED ADDITIVE ON GROWTHAND NITROGEN BALANCE IN PIGS
By
WANG WEISHAN
February 2005
Chairman: Associate Professor Loh Teck Chwen, Ph D
Faculty: Agriculture
Three experiments were conducted to determine the dietary crude protein (CP) level,
inulin, and local available fermented feed additive (FFA) on growth, nitrogen (N)
balance and fecal characteristics in growing pigs. Experiment 1 studied the fecal
microflora fermentation using inulin compared with CMC in vitro. Gas volume, total
volatile fatty acids (VFA) and purine bases (PB) concentrations of inulin
fermentation were higher (P<O. 05) than the CMC.
Experiment 2 investigated the dietary CP level and addition of inulin on growth,
nitrogen balance and fecal characteristics in growing pigs. Twenty-four crossbred
barrows (Duroc x Large white x Landrace) of an average body weight of 40 kg were
used to conduct a 28-day experiment. The diet treatments were two levels of CP,
18% and 14% with or without 0.3% inulin addition. Daily live weight gain (DLWG)
and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not affected (P>0.05) by the dietary treatments.
However, N intake and N excretion were decreased (P<0.05) with reduced CP level.
Addition of inulin without further effect on the total amount of N excretion, but
tended to shift N excretion from urine to feces. Higher (P<0.05) lactic acid bacteria
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(LAB) and lower (P<O.05) Enterobacteriaceae counts in feces for pigs fed with 14%
CP and 14% CP + 0.3% inulin were observed.
The hypothesis that addition of inulin and FFA would affect gastrointestinal (GIT)
microorganisms, hence to improve N utilization was validated in Experiment 3.
Twenty-four crossbred barrows (Duroc x Large White x Landrace) of an average
body weight 65 kg were used in the 28-day experiment. Dietary treatments were
addition of0.3% inulin (IN), 4% fermented feed additive (FFA), or their combination
(IN + FFA). Pigs fed with IN + FFA had a higher (P<O.05) DLWG and a lower
(P<0.05) FCR compared with other treatment groups. The quantity of total N
excretion was not significantly (P>O.05) different among treatment groups, however,
N excretion pattern tended to shift from urinary N excretion to fecal N excretion
(P>O.05). Higher (P<O.05) LAB and lower (P<O.05) Enterobacteriaceae counts in
feces for pigs fed with IN, FFA and IN + FFA compared to the pigs fed control diet
were observed.
It is concluded that inulin is readily fermented by GIT microbes. The inclusion of
inulin or fermented feed additive, or both in the diets cannot reduce total N excretion
but they can shift N excretion from urine to feces in growing pigs. N excretion can be
decreased by reducing dietary protein from 18% to 14% without affecting the
DLWG and FeR of growing pigs. The addition of inulin with fermented feed
additive in the diet can improve DLWG and FCR. Reducing dietary CP level,
inclusion of inulin or fermented feed additive, or both in the diets can modify GIT
microorganism toward to a beneficially balance. In summary, inulin and fermented
IV
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feed additive inclusion, along with the manipulation of dietary protein levels in pig
diet, is a viable avenue to reduce nitrogen excretion in growing pigs.
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Abstrak tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia sebagaimemenuhi keperluan untuk ijazah Master Sains
KESAN INULIN DAN MAKANAN ADITIF FERMENTASI YANG TELAHDI FERMENTASI KE ATAS PERTUMBUHAN DAN IMBANGAN
NITROGEN PADA BABI PEMBESAR
Oleh
WANG WEISHAN
Februari 2005
Pengerusi: Profesor Madya Loh Teck Chwen, PhD
Fakulti: Pertanian
Tiga eksperimen telah dijalankan untuk mengkaji tahap protein kasar (CP) dalam diet,
inulin dan penambah makanan fermentasi tempatan (FFA) pada tumbesaran,
keseimbangan nitrogen (N) dan ciri-ciri najis pada khinzir yang sedang membesar.
Eksperimen 1 mengkaji fermentasi mikroflora najis dengan menggunakan inulin
berbanding dengan CMC secara in vitro. Isipadu gas, jumlah asid lemak meruap
(VFA) dan kepekatan purine bases fermentasi inulin adalah lebih tinggi (P<O.05)
daripada CMC.
Eksperimen 2 mengkaji tahap CP diet dan penambahan inulin pada tumbesaran,
keseimbangan nitrogen dan ciri-ciri najis pada khinzir yang sedang membesar. Dua
puluh empat ekor khinzir jantan kacukan (Duroc x Large White x Landrace) yang
telah dikembiri dengan berat purata 40 kg telah digunakan untuk eksperimen selama
28 hari. Rawatan diet adalah dua tahap CP, 18% dan 14% dengan atau tiada 0.3%
penambahan inulin. Penambahan herat hidup harian dan nisbah pertukaran makanan
tidak dipengaruhi (P>O.05) Penambahan inulin tiada pengaruh lanjut pada jumlah
pengumuhan N, tetapi bercenderung memindah pengumuhan dari urin ke najis.
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Bilangan bakteria asid laktik (LAB) yang lebih tinggi (P>0.05) dan bilangan
Enterobacteriaceae yang lebih rendah (P<O.05) dalam najis khinzir yang diberi
makanan 14% CP dan 14% CP + 0.3% inulin diperhatikan.
Hipotesis bahawa penambahan inulin dan FP dapat mengaruhi mikroorganisma
gastrointestin, dengan itu memanfaatkan penggunaan N disahkan dalam eksperimen
3. Dua puluh empat ekor khinzir jantan kacukan (Duroc x Large White x Landrace)
yang telah dikembiri dengan berat purata 65 kg telah digunakan untuk eksperimen
selama 28 hari. Rawatan diet adalah penambahan 0.3% inulin, 4% FP, atau
kombinasi (IN + FP). Penambahan berat hidup harian meningkat (P<0.05) dan
nisbah pertukaran makanan yang lebih rendah (P<0.05) didapati untuk khinzir yang
diberi makanan IN + FP berbanding dengan kumpulan rawatan lain. Kuantiti
pengumuhan N tidak berbeza secara signifikan (P>0.05) antara diet tetapi pola
pengumuhan N bercenderung berpindah dari pengumuhan urin N ke najis N
(P>0.05). Bilangan bakteria asid laktik (LAB) yang lebih tinggi (P<0.05) dan
bilangan Enterobacteriaceae yang lebih rendah (P<0.05) diperhatikan dalam najis
khinzir yang diberi makanan inulin, FP dan IN + FP berbanding dengan khinzir
diberi diet kawalan.
Ia dapat disimpulkan bahawa inulin bersedia difermentasi oleh mikrobial
gastrointestin. Penambahan inulin atau produk fermentasi, atau kedua-duanya dalam
diet tidak merendahkan jumlah pengumuhan N tetapi berupaya memindah
pengumuhan N dari urin ke najis dalam khinzir yang sedang membesar. Pengumuhan
nitrogen dapat direndahkan dengan menurunkan protein dalam diet dari 18% ke 14%
dengan tidak mempengaruhi penambahan berat hidup harian dan nisbah pertukaran
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makanan pada khinzir yang sedang membesar. Penambahan inulin dengan penambah
makanan fermentasi dalam diet dapat mamanfaatkan penambahan berat hidup harian
dan nisbah pertukaran makanan. Penurunan tahap CP dalam diet, penambahan inulin
atau penambah makanan fermentasi atau kedua-duanya sekali dalam diet dapat
mengubah mikroorganisma dalam GIT ke arah keseimbangan yang memanfaatkan.
Kesimpulannya, inulin dan penambahan makanan fermentasi berhubung dengan
manipulasi tahap protein dalam diet khinzir merupakan kaedah yang sesuai untuk
merendahkan pengumuhan nitrogen dalam khinzir yang sedang membesar.
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ACKNOWLEGEMENTS
I would like to express my deep appreciation and sincere gratitude to my supervisor
Associate Professor Dr. Loh Teck Chwen for his guidance, encouragements and
advice throughout my studies. My deep appreciation is also extended to my co
supervisors Associate Professor Dr. Liang Juan Boo and Dr. Goh Yong Meng for
their advice, suggestions and comments during my study. I am also indebted to
Professor Dr. Liao Xin Di, Dr. Chen Xue Bin and Dr. He Dan Ling for their
encouragement and suggestions. Thanks also due to Associate Professor Dr. Foo
Hooi Ling for allowing me to use the laboratory facility.
I wish to acknowledge the support given by the owner of Tan Brother Pig Farm at
Tanjung Sepat, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia where I conducted the experiments. I also
thank the technical staffs of Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Animal Science,
Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Thanks are also due to Ms Elizabeth Law, Ms Lim Yin Sze and Ms Yap Sia Yen for
their help, particularly in teaching me the necessary laboratory techniques. I would
like to thank Ms Lai Pui Wah who translated the abstract into the Bahasa Malaysia. I
would like to thank all my fellow students ofUPM, especially Ms Wang Van for her
help and encouragement during my study.
Finally, my deepest gratitude to my parents, Wang Guo Fei and Shen Xiu Rong,
sister, Wang Bao Lan, brother in law, Lin Zhao Rong for their understanding,
financial and moral support during the study.
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I certify that an Examination Committee met on 24th February 2005 to conduct thefinal examination of Wang Weishan on his Master of Science thesis entitled "Effectof Inulin and Fermented Feed Additive on Growth and Nitrogen Balance in Pigs" inaccordance with Universiti Pe.tanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Act 1980 andUniversiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Regulations 1981. The Committeerecommends that the candidate be awarded the relevant degree. Members of theExamination Committee are as follows:
Abdul Razak Alimon, PhDProfessorFaculty of AgricultureUniversiti Putra Malaysia(Chairman)
Zainal Aznam Mohd Jelan, PhDProfessorFaculty of AgricultureUniversiti Putra Malaysia(Member)
Halimatun Yaakub, PhDAssociate ProfessorFaculty of AgricultureUniversiti Putra Malaysia(Member)
Bruce A. Young, PhDProfessorUniversity of QueenslandAustralia(Independent Examiner)
GULAMR SProfessorlDeputy, eanSchool of Graduate StudiesUniversiti Putra Malaysia
Date: ';' 2 APR 2005
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This thesis submitted to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia and has beenaccepted as fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Themembers of the Supervisory Committee are as follows:
Loh Teck Chwen, PhDAssociate ProfessorFaculty of AgricultureUniversiti Putra Malaysia(Chairman)
Liang Juan Boo, PhDAssociate ProfessorFaculty of AgricultureUniversiti Putra Malaysia(Member)
Goh Yong Meng, PhDFaculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversiti Putra Malaysia(Member)
AINI IDERIS, PhDProfessorlDeanSchool ofGraduate StudiesUniversiti Putra Malaysia
Date: 12 MAY 2005
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DECLARATION
I hereby declare that the thesis is based on my original work except for quotations andcitations which have been duly acknowledged. I also declare that it has not beenpreviously or concurrently submitted for any other degree at UPM or other institutions.
Date: q M1\ C <..00'0
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
DEDICATIONABSTRACTABSTRAKACKNOWLEDGEMENTSAPPROVALDECLARATIONLIST OF TABLESLIST OF FIGURESABBREVIATIONS
CHAPTER
1 INTRODUCTION
2 LITERATURE REVIEW
11
III
VI
IX
X
XlI
Xlll
XVI
XV11
1
5
2.1 Pig production and the Environment 52.1.1 Pig Farming and Environment pollutants 6
2.2 Nutrition of Growing Pigs 72.2.1 Energy Utilization in Growing Pigs 82.2.2 Protein Nutrition in Growing Pigs 92.2.3 Protein and Energy Relationship for Growing Pigs 12
2.3 The Role of the Gastrointestinal Microflora in Growing Pigs 122.3.1 Digestion ofNitrogenous Compounds 132.3.2 Gastrointestinal Microflora and Urea Cycle in pigs 142.3.3 Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) 15
2.4 Nitrogen Metabolism in Growing Pigs 162.4.1 Efficiency ofNitrogen Utilization 16
2.5 Nutritional Strategies to Reduce Nitrogen Excretion 172.5.1 Formulating Pig Diets According to Apparent Deal
Digestible Amino acid 172.5.2 Optimizing the Utilization ofDietary Nitrogen 182.5.3 Phase Feeding 192.5.4 The Use of Crystalline Amino Acids 19
2.6 Non-digestible Oligosaccharides 202.6.1 Non-digestible Oligosaccharides as Prebiotics 20
2.7 Inulin as Prebiotics 212.7.1 Inulin on Nitrogen Metabolism 222.7.2 Inulin on Growth Performance 232.7.3 Inulin on Gastrointestinal Microorganisms 24
2.8 Fermented Feed Additive 242.8.1 Fermented Feed Additive in Animal Diets 25
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3 IN VITRO STUDY OF FECAL MICROFLORA FERMENTATIONUSING INULIN 283.1 Introduction 283.2 Materials and Methods 30
3.2.1 Feces Collection 303.2.2 In Vitro Fermentation 303.2.3 Measurements 313.2.4 Chemical Analyses 313.2.5 Statistical Analysis 32
3.3 Results and Discussion 333.4 Conclusions 36
4 EFFECTS OF DIETARY PROTEIN AND INULIN ONGROWTH, NITROGEN BALANCE AND FECALCHARACTERISTICS IN GROWING PIGS 374.1 Introduction 374.2 Materials and Methods 38
4.2.1 Animals and Diets 384.2.2 Measurements 404.2.3 Sample Collections, Chemical Analyses and Calculations 414.2.4 Statistical Analysis 43
4.3 Results 444.3.1 Growth Performance 444.3.2 Apparent Total Tract Digestibility ofDry Matter and Nitrogen 454.3.3 Nitrogen Balance, Excretory Shift and Plasma urea
Concentration 464.3.4 Fecal Characteristics 48
4.4 Discussion 534.5 Conclusions 57
5 EFFECTS OF FEEDING INULIN AND FERMENTED FEEDADDITIVE ON GROWTH, NITROGEN BALANCE ANDFECAL CHARACTERISTICS IN GROWTING PIGS 58
5.1 Introduction 585.2 Materials and Methods 59
5.2.1 Preparation ofFermented Product 595.2.2 Animals and Diets 605.2.3 Measurements 625.2.4 Sample Collections, Chemical Analyses and Calculations 625.2.5 Statistical Analysis 64
5.3 Results 655.3.1 Growth Performance 655.3.2 Apparent Total Tract Digestibility ofDry Matter and Nitrogen 665.3.3 Nitrogen Balance, Excretory Shift and Plasma Urea 675.3.4 Fecal Characteristics 69
5.4 Discussion 745.5 Conclusions 77
6 GENERAL DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS 78
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BmLIOGRAPHYAPPENDICESBIODATA OF THE AUTHOR
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8398114
LIST OF TABLES
2.1 Energy requirements ofgrowing pigs 9
2.2 Global animal production in 1994, in terms ofN (numbers in 10l2g) 17
3.1 Total nitrogen (TN), pH, volatile fatty acid (VFA) and purine bases(PB) concentrations (means ± SD) of inoculum 34
4.1 Ingredients and compositions of the treatment diets: 18% CP (CP18),14% CP (CP14), 18% CP + 0.3% inulin (CP18-I) and 14% CP + 0.3%inulin (CP14-1) 40
4.2 Growth performance of pigs fed treatment diets: 18% CP (CP18), 14%CP (CP14), 18% CP + 0.3% inulin (CP18-I) and 14% CP + 0.3% inulin(CP14-I) 44
4.3 Nitrogen balance and plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) of pigs fed withtreatment diets: 18% CP (CP18), 14% CP (CP14), 18% CP + 0.3%inulin (CP18-I) and 14% CP + 0.3% inulin (CP14-I) 46
5.1 Ingredients and compositions of the experimental diets: control (CON),control + 0.3% inulin (IN), control + 4% fermented feed additive (FFA)and control + 0.3% inulin + 4% fermented feed additive (IN + FFA) 61
5.2 Growth performance of pigs fed diets: control (CON), control + 0.3%inulin (IN), control + 4% fermented feed additive (FFA) and control +0.3% inulin + 4% fermented feed additive (IN + FFA) during 28-daymeasurement 65
5.3 Nitrogen balance, excretory shift and plasma urea concentration ofpigsfed treatment diets: control (CON), control + 0.3% inulin (IN), control+ 4% fermented feed additive (FFA) and control + 0.3% inulin + 4%fermented feed additive (IN + FFA) at the end of28-day measurement 67
XVI
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
2.1 Utilization of energy by pigs
Page
8
2.2 Representation of protein absorption and use showing VarIOUS
influences upon efficiency 11
2.3 Nitrogen flow in growing pigs 16
3.1 Cumulated gas volume (mean, m1Jg substrate) at hour 0,4, 8, 12, 16,20and 24 during in vitro fermentation 33
4.1 Apparent total tract digestibility (%) of dry matter and nitrogen fortreatment diets 45
4.2 Fecal pH of pigs fed with treatment diets: 18% CP (CPI8), 14% CP(CPI4), 18% CP + 0.3% inulin (CPI8-I) and 14% CP + 0.3% inulin(CPI4-I) on day 0, 7, 14,21 and 28 48
4.3 Fecal purine bases (pB, mg Guanine/g DM) of pigs fed treatment diets:18% CP (CPI8), 14% CP (CPI4), 18% CP + 0.3% inulin (CPI8-I) and14% CP + 0.3% inulin (CPI4-I) on day 0, 7, 14,21 and 28 49
4.4 Fecal total VFA concentrations (mMIL) pigs fed treatment diets: 18%CP (CPI8), 14% CP (CPI4), 18% CP + 0.3% inulin (CPI8-I) and 14%CP + 0.3% inulin (CPI4-I) on day 0, 7, 14,21 and 28 50
4.5 Fecal Enterobacteriaceae counts (logl0 CFU/g) of the pigs fedtreatment diets: 18% CP (CPI8), 14% CP (CPI4), 18% CP + 0.3%inulin (CPI8-I) and 14% CP + 0.3% inulin (CPI4-I) on day 0, 7, 14,21and 28 51
4.6 Fecal LAB counts (loglO CFU/g) of the pigs fed treatment diets: 18%CP (CPI8), 14% CP (CPI4), 18% CP + 0.3% inulin (CPI8-I) and 14%CP + 0.3% inulin (CPI4-I) on day 0, 7, 14,21 and 28 52
5.1 Apparent total tract digestibility (%) of dry matter (DM) and nitrogen(N) for treatment diets: 18% CP (CPI8), 14% CP (CPI4), 18% CP +0.3% inulin (CPI8-I) and 14% CP + 0.3% inulin (CPI4-I) at the end of28-day measurement 66
5.2 Fecal pH of pigs fed with treatment diets: control (CON), control +0.3% inulin (IN), control + 4% fermented feed additive (FFA) andcontrol + 0.3% inulin + 4% fermented feed additive (IN + FFA) on day0, 7, 14,21 and 28 69
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5.3 Fecal purine bases (pB; mg Guanine/g DM) of pigs fed with treatmentdiets: control (CON), control + 0.3% inulin (IN), control + 4%fermented feed additive (FFA) and control + 0.3% inulin + 4%fermented feed additive (IN + FFA) on day 0, 7, 14,21 and 28 70
5.4 Fecal total volatile fatty acid (VFA, mM/L-I) concentration of pigs fedwith treatment diets: control (CON), control + 0.3% inulin (IN), control+ 4% fermented feed additive (FFA) and control + 0.3% inulin + 4%fermented feed additive (IN + FFA) on day 0, 7, 14,21 and 28 71
5.5 Fecal Enterobacteriaceae counts (lOglO CFU/g) of the pigs fed withtreatment diets: control (CON), control + 0.3% inulin (IN), control +4% fermented feed additive (FFA) and control + 0.3% inulin + 4%fermented feed additive (IN + FFA) on day 0, 7, 14,21 and 28 72
5.6 Fecal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts (loglO CFU/g) of the pigs fedwith treatment diets: control (CON), control + 0.3% inulin (IN), control+ 4% fermented feed additive (FFA) and control + 0.3% inulin + 4%fermented feed additive (IN + FFA) on day 0, 7, 14,21 and 28 73
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ABBREVIATIONS
AA amino acid
CFU colony forming units
CON control
CP crude protein
DE digestible energy
DM dry matter
FE fecal energy
FF fermented fruits
FFA fermented feed additive
g gram
GC gas chromatography
GE gross energy
h hour
I inulin
IN inulin
kcal kilo calorie
L litter
ME metabolize energy
mg milligram
ml milliliter
mM millimole
N nitrogen
NE net energy
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NEm net energy for maintenance
NEp net energy for production
PB purine bases
SEM standard error mean
TN total Kjeldahl nitrogen
UE urinary energy
VFA volatile fatty acid
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CHAPTERl
INTRODUCTION
Present pIg production has become highly industrialized and concentrated. The
production system faces challenges of excess nutrient excretions, particularly
nitrogen, which has polluted the environment. It has been noted that excessive
nitrogen excretion from pig production adversely influences surrounding water
quality (both surface and groundwater) and has been deemed responsible for acid
rain. This has increasingly aroused public concern and expedient means for
minimizing nitrogen excretion are needed urgently.
The amount of nitrogen excreted by pigs is affected by three main factors: (1) the
amount of dietary nitrogen (protein) consumed, (2) the efficiency of nitrogen is
utilization for growth and other functions, and (3) the amount of endogenous
secretions. Generally, little can be done to influence the amount of endogenous
losses (Richert and Sutton, 1997). Thus, in order to reduce the amount of nitrogen
excreted by pigs, the amount consumed must be decreased, and/or the efficiency of
utilization of the dietary nitrogen must be increased.
Dietary manipulation for example by reducing the crude protein content of swine
diets fortify with synthetic amino acids to meet the actual needs of the pig has been
reviewed (Kornegay and Verstegen, 2001). Based on a review ofseveral papers, Kerr
and Easter (1995) suggested that for each one percentage unit reduction in dietary
crude protein combined with amino acid supplementation, total nitrogen losses (fecal
and urinary) could be reduced by approximately 8%. However, it is presently more
cost-effective to use supplemental amino acids, as most of synthetic amino acids are
too expensive to use in the practical diets. Reducing dietary nitrogen input has shown
a reduction in performance and an increase in backfat accretion (Kerr et al., 2003;
Figueroa et aI., 2000).
The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of pig harbors numerically dense and metabolically
active microorganisms (Gaskins 2001). The commensal microorganisms of the pig
are viewed typically as a beneficial entity for the host. For example, indigenous gut
bacteria provide the host with nutrients, including volatile fatty acid, vitamin K, B
vitamins, and amino acids (Savage, 1986). The GIT microorganisms are affecting
nitrogen digestibility in pigs (Low et al., 1978; Caine et aI., 1999). The research
interest in the nitrogen nutrition related with GIT microorganisms ofthe pig has been
focused on their synthesis ofamino acids (Fuller and Reeds, 1998; Caine et aI., 1999;
Torrallardona et aI., 2003a; 2003b). However, the extent to which microbial protein
contributes to the amino acid needs of the pig is unclear (Gaskins, 2001).
Nevertheless, approaches to improve GIT ecosystem, by which to enhance nitrogen
metabolism have aroused researchers' attention.
Inulin is fermentable carbohydrates (Flamm et aI., 2001), which also has been
defined as prebiotic (Flickinger et aI., 2003). Dietary fermentable carbohydrates have
shown their influences on shifting nitrogen excretion and reducing ammonia
emission of pigs (Nahm, 2003). A study of Remesy and Demigne (1989) showed
increased blood urea transport to the cecum and enhanced ammonia absorption in
rats fed soluble fiber sources. Besides, feeding inulin to rats caused a net retention of
2
nitrogen in cecum shifting nitrogen excretion from urine to feces. However, ileal and
fecal nitrogen excretion in pigs as well as nitrogen retention were not influenced by
inulin consumtion (Vanhoofand Schrijver, 1996b).
Besides, fermented feed additive consisted of locally available fruits such as lime
with mixture of lactobacilli cultures as additive in the diet on growth performance,
Enterobacteriaceae and lactic acid produce bacteria (LAB) counts in feces of the
post-weaning piglets has been studied (Loh et aI., 2003b). In the study of Loh et al.
(2003b), the use of fermented feed additive could significantly (P<O.05) reduce
Enterobacteriaceae population in piglets' feces compared to the use of normal feed
with or without antibiotic. Meanwhile, the LAB population in the feces was
increased in those piglets fed with diets added with fermented feed additive (Loh et
al., 2003b). However, the effect of the fermented feed additive on growth, nitrogen
balance and fecal characteristics in growing pigs has not been previously reported.
3
Therefore, base on above information, the objectives of thesis were to study dietary
protein, inulin and fermented feed additive on growth, nitrogen balance and fecal
characteristics in growing pigs. Three experiments were conducted to achieve the
above objectives:
(i) In vitro study of fecal microflora fermentation using inulin.
(ii) Effects of dietary protein and inulin addition on growth, nitrogen balance and
fecal characteristics in growing pigs.
(iii) Effects of feeding inulin and fermented feed additive on growth, nitrogen
balance and fecal characteristics in growing pigs
4