Combination of feed additives as alternative to high Zinc oxide
Potential of a combination of bioactives, sweeteners and organic acids as alternative to high Zinc oxide concentration to support piglet*s growth performance
Abstract
By Arnaud E , Ionescu C , Gomes Da Silva C , Blanchard A , Kim I
Feed supplementation of 2500 ppm zinc oxide (ZnO) is used for its effect on piglets’ intestinal health and performance after weaning. This level will be banned in Europe in 2022. The study objective was to assess the potential of bioactives (capsicum oleoresin, garlic tincture and eugenol at 5, 3.5 and 3.5 ppm, respectively) in combination with a saccharine based sweetener at 100 ppm and/or acids (medium and short chain fatty acids) at 5 kg/t weeks 1-3 and at 3 kg/t weeks 4-7, to support animal performance as alternative to high ZnO supplementation. A 7 weeks experiment was conducted with 200 weaned piglets (21 days), 8 pens/treatment and 5 piglets/pen. The treatments were: basal diets 1) with 125 ppm ZnO (NC), 2) with 2500 ppm ZnO (PC); NC 3) with acids, 4) with bioactives & sweetener or 5) with bioactives & sweetener and acids. Performance was measured at weaning, week 3 and 7. Fecal microbiota and fecal score were determined at week 3 and 7. Data were analyzed with S.A.S. using ANOVA followed by a Ducan’s procedure.
At week 7, piglets’ weight were 29.36, 29.86, 30.25, 29.63 and 30.37 kg for NC, PC, acids, bioactive & sweetener and bioactive & sweetener with acids, respectively. Bioactives & sweetener with acids significantly improved weight compared to NC. Global FCR were 1.554, 1.533, 1.517, 1.539, 1.514 for NC, PC, acids, bioactive & sweetener and the bioactive & sweetener with acids, respectively. Acids complemented or not with Bioactives & sweetener significantly improved FCR compared to NC. Fecal microbiota and fecal score were not different.
The study demonstrated promising results of the combination of bioactives, sweetener and acids as alternative to high ZnO level in feed to support growth performance in weaned piglets. Further studies are needed to understand the mode of action of the combination.
About the presenter
Célia Gomes da Silva, MSc. Product Manager, ADM Animal Nutrition
Graduated in Animal Science with a MSc degree by the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (Portugal) and with a BSc Honours degree in Animal Husbandry obtained in the Netherlands, Célia acquired specific knowledge during her academic internships in mycotoxins incidence in feed and conducted the research project for her MSc thesis, focused on polyphenols and its effect on in vitro rumen fermentation.
Célia started to work as Global Product Manager in 2016, with diverse feed additives categories applied to market solutions such us, microbial control, feed to food safety and gut health and actively involved in product development, research, technical support and sales trainings. In 2020, she joined ADM for her current role, as Product Manager working with innovative solutions based in Phytogenic Bioactives, to meet the requirements of modern livestock production, increasing sustainability focus and overcoming global challenges in the industry.
