Effects of microencapsulated organic acids on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial counts, and blood profiles in weaning pigs

• Published in: Journal of animal science and technology 2021, Vol.63 (1), p.104-113
• Main Authors: Lee, Jun Soeng, Kim, Tae Heon, Song, Min Ho, Oh, Han Jin, Yun, Won, Lee, Ji Hwan, Kim, Yong Ju, Lee, Byong Kon, Kim, Hyeun Bum, Cho, Jin Ho
• Format: Article
• Language: Korean
• ISSN: 2672-0191; 2093-6281

This study was conducted to investigate the efficiency of a microencapsulated mixture of organic acids (MOA) with low protein in piglet feed on growth performance, diarrhea score, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial counts, and blood profiles in weaning pigs. A total of 80 pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc; 6.8 ± 0.48 kg] were randomly assigned to four dietary treatment groups: high protein (HP); low protein (LP); MOA1, LP + 0.2% MOA; and MOA2, LP + 0.3% MOA. The MOA2 group had higher average daily weight gains (during days 0-14 and days 0-28), diarrhea score (during days 0-14, during days 14-28 and days 0-28) and greater digestibility of dry matter (days 14 and 28) compared to the LP group (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the pigs fed diets with the MOA1 and MOA2 in blood profiles and fecal microflora. In conclusion, this study indicates that piglets fed 0.3% MOA in low protein diets maintained similar growth performance and nutrient digestibility, but alleviated the incidence of diarrhea compared to piglets fed high protein diets.