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Pig Journal Volume: 57
Publication date: May 2006

Refereed Section

THE EFFECT OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION OF FINISHING PIGS WITH ORGANIC ACIDS OR
A.J. Campbell, G.E. Gardiner, F.C. Leonard, P.B. Lynch, C. Stanton, R.P. Ross and P.G. Lawlor

Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the effect of three non-antibiotic feed additives on selected gut microflora, gastro-intestinal (GI) pH and growth performance of slaughter-age pigs. Forty female pigs were selected at ~75 kg, blocked on weight and from within the block randomly assigned to diets containing no added antimicrobial (control), mannan-oligosaccharide (BioMOSTM), a blended acidifier (Bact-A-CidTM) or fumaric acid for 28 days prior to slaughter. Selected gut microbiota (coliform, lactobacilli, bifidobacteria) and pH were monitored weekly in faecal samples (n=10) as well as in GI samples taken at slaughter (n=8). Weight gain and feed intake of all pigs were measured to estimate performance effects. Only fumaric acid affected the gut microflora measured, with reductions in faecal coliforms (P<0.05) and lactobacilli (P<0.05) observed after 28 days compared with control animals. There was also a 10-fold reduction (P<0.05) in lactobacilli in the caecum and colon of fumaric acid-fed animals at slaughter. BioMOSTM or Bact-A-CidTM did not significantly affect the faecal or intestinal microflora analysed and none of the feed additives affected intestinal pH. There were no differences in growth performance between the control and supplemented animals. Overall, only fumaric acid affected gut microbial populations, with reductions in coliform shedding, suggesting that it may offer potential for pathogen reduction in finishing pigs. However, this warrants further investigation in deliberate pathogen challenge studies.

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