Neutralized semi-purified glycerin in pre-starting piglet feeding (6 To 15 kg)

Abstract

Two experiments were carried out to determine the nutritional value of neutralized semi-purified glycerin (NSPG) and to evaluate the performance of pre-starting piglets (6-15 kg) fed on diets containing increasing levels of NSPG. In Experiment I, a digestibility trial with 30 barrows (11.80 ± 5.12 kg live weight) was conducted, in which they were allotted in a randomized block design. Replacement levels of the basal diet by NSPG were 3, 6, 9, and 12%. The values (as-fed-base) of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) of NSPG were 3535 and 3279 kcal/kg, respectively. In Experiment II, 135 piglets, weaned at 21 days of age (6.85 ± 1.28 to 15.04 ± 2.06 kg), were allotted in a randomized-block design. Treatments consisted of five diets (3, 6, 9, and 12% NSPG as well as a control diet with 0% of NSPG), with nine replications, and three piglets per experimental unit. The results show that, in the pre-starting I (6-10 kg) phase, adding NSPG promoted a linear improvement in the average daily gain (ADG) and the feed-to-gain ratio (F:G). For the total period (6-15 kg), only linear improvements (P ? 0.05) to ADG were observed. The plasma variables were not influenced (P ? 0.05) by the inclusion of NSPG, as it remained within the biological range of the species. The results suggest that up to 12% NSPG can be included in the diets of piglets (6-15 kg) without impairing the plasmatic variables, performance, and economic feasibility.

Keywords

• Biodiesel; Co-product; Piglet; Performance