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

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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