Abstract

RODRIGUES, M. et al. Effects of inulin and a probiotic mixture on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in piglets. Arch. zootec. [online]. 2013, vol.62, n.238, pp.255-264. ISSN 1885-4494.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0004-05922013000200011.

This study aimed to evaluate different inulin and probiotic levels as supplement in diets for piglets on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance. Twenty four crossbred barrows (Pietráin x Landrace x Large White), with initial average weight of 18.00 ± 0.38 kg, were individually housed in metabolic cages. The experimental design was a completely randomized block, in a 2 x 3 factorial scheme (probiotic levels: 0.30 and 0.60 %; inulin levels: 0.00, 0.25 and 0.50 %), with four replications. The probiotic used was a mix of Lactobacillus acidophillus, Streptococcus faecium and Bifidobacterium bifidum. The inulin was the prebiotic used in this study, characterized as an indigestible carbohydrate formed by fructooligosaccharides. Inulin levels provided a quadratic effect (p<0.05) on the digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter and ether extract, and the better responses were obtained supplementing 0.194, 0.185 and 0.188 %. Quadratic effects were observed for the nitrogen excreted in feces, total nitrogen excretion, nitrogen efficiency use and nitrogen digestibility. The inulin levels of 0.194 and 0.216 %, in piglet diets, were the better for dry matter digestibility and total nitrogen excretion, respectively.

Keywords : Bifidobacterium bifidum; Digestibility; Oligosaccharides.

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