Effect of β-glucan source and exogenous enzyme supplementation on intestinal fermentation and manure odour and ammonia emissions from finisher boars

• Published in: Livestock science 2010-09, Vol.134 (1), p.194-197
• Main Authors: O'Shea, C.J., Gahan, D.A., Lynch, M.B., Callan, J.J., O'Doherty, J.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ammonia; Barley; beta-glucanase; beta-glucans; Bifidobacterium; boars; digestion; digestive enzymes; endo-1,4-beta-xylanase; feed supplements; fermentation; finishing; gas emissions; Intestinal fermentation; intestinal microorganisms; intestines; Lactobacillus; Oats; Odor; odor emissions; pig manure; swine feeding; β-glucans
• ISSN: 1871-1413; 1878-0490
• DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2010.06.139

The objective of the current study was to investigate the influence of botanical origin of β-glucan and exogenous enzyme supplementation on intestinal fermentation and manure ammonia and odour emissions from finisher boars. Twenty-eight boars were assigned to one of four dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (n = 7): (T1) barley-based diet; (T2) barley-based diet + enzyme; (T3) oat-based diet and (T4) oat-based diet + enzyme. The enzyme supplement used contained Endo-1,3 (4)-β-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.6) and Endo-1,4-β-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8). Oat-based diets increased populations of Bifidobacteria (7.26 vs 6.38 log 10CFU/g digesta (ie log10 CFU/g digesta); sem 0.201; P < 0.01) and Lactobacilli (6.99 vs 6.18 log 10CFU/g digesta (ie log10 CFU/g digesta); sem 0.234; P < 0.05) in the proximal colon and decreased manure odour emissions (2179.6 vs 4984.6Ou E/m 3; sem 653.7; P < 0.05) compared with barley-based diets. There was an interaction between cereal type and enzyme supplementation on manure ammonia emissions from 0 to 96 h (P < 0.05). The addition of an enzyme to the barley-based diet increased manure ammonia emissions. However there was no effect of enzyme inclusion in the oat-based diets. In conclusion, oat-based diets suppressed manure odour emissions. Enzyme supplementation increased manure ammonia emissions from the barley-based diets.