Potential impacts of guava seed meal on piglet feeding as a dietary fibre alternative

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional-energetic value of guava seed meal (GSM) for piglets in the starter phase and its effects on feed digestibility, growth performance, plasma parameter and diarrhea incidence. Assay I (digestibility testing) involved 16 entire male piglets with average initial body weight of 18.91 ± 1.36 kg were distributed in a randomized block design, allocated to two treatments with eight replications. Treatments consisted of a reference diet and a test diet with a 20% replacement by GSM. In assay II (performance testing), 128 entire male piglets and average initial body weight of 14.47 ± 2.09 kg were distributed in a randomized block design, with four treatments repeated four times in two blocks. Treatments consisted of increasing levels of GSM (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%). Values higher were found for glutamine and arginine. The high GE value of the GSM was reflected in an elevated AMCGE of the feed, with greater DM and CP digestibility. There was difference (P < 0.05) for average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, urea and diarrhea. In conclusion, GSM does not affect apparent nutrient digestibility, and it promotes greater feed intake up to 10% inclusion and 15% improves diarrhea incidence.

Keywords

• by-product
• digestibility
• fibrous ingredient
• growth performance
• nutritional value