Use of maltodextrin and a prebiotic in the feed of weaned piglets

Author(s)

Pivetta, Mayara Rodrigues ^[1] ; Berto, Dirlei Antonio ^[2] ; Amorim, Alessandro Borges ^[2] ; Dib Saleh, Mayra Anton ^[2] ; Pinheiro, Daniela Felipe ^[3] ; Mendes Vicentini Paulino, Maria de Lourdes ^[4] ; de Almeida Nogueira Pinto, Jose Paes ^[5] ; Goncalves, Heraldo Cesar ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Fac Med Vet Zootec, Dept Melhoramento & Nutr Anim, Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[2] UNESP, Dept Prod Anim, Fac Med Vet & Zootec, Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[3] UNESP, Dept Fisiol, Inst Biociencias, Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[4] UNESP, Dept Fisiol Anim, Inst Biociencias, Botucatu, SP - Brazil

^[5] UNESP, Dept Higiene Vet & Saude Publ, Fac Med Vet & Zootec, Botucatu, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SEMINA-CIENCIAS AGRARIAS; v. 35, n. 4, p. 2129-2145, 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing lactose with maltodextrin and adding fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) to the feed of weaned piglets. The first experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (2 sources of carbohydrates: maltodextrin and lactose in the pre-starter feed and with or without the use of 0.3% FOS in the pre-starter and starter feeds) with 7 repetitions in 3 animals. Performance and hematological parameters were evaluated. The second experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with a 2 x 2 x 2 + 1 factorial arrangement (2 sources of carbohydrates: maltodextrin and lactose and with or without the use of 0.3% FOS; 2 slaughter dates: 7 and 14 d post-weaning; and slaughter on the day of weaning) with 8 repetitions in 1 animal. The following parameters were evaluated: pH and relative weight of digestive organs, enzyme activity, and microbial population. In the initial phase, maltodextrin did not compromise performance and could replace lactose with economic benefits; however, it does reduce intake of the pre-starter I feed. Maltodextrin has a prebiotic effect because it reduces the total coliform and E. coli populations in the cecum and reduces the pH of the rectal contents. The use of FOSs is not justified, regardless of whether lactose or maltodextrin is added to the feed. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/09115-0 - Supplementation of maltodextrin and prebiotics in weaned piglets diets
• Grantee: Dirlei Antonio Berto
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants