Use of maltodextrin and a prebiotic in the feed of weaned piglets

• Published in: Semina. Ciências agrárias : revista cultural e científica da Universidade Estadual de Londrina Vol. 35; no. 4; pp. 2129 - 2146
• Main Authors: Pivetta, Mayara Rodrigues, Berto, Dirlei Antonio, Amorim, Alessandro Borges, Saleh, Mayra Anton Dib, Pinheiro, Daniela Felipe, Paulino, Maria de Lourdes Mendes Vicentini, Pinto, José Paes De Almeida Nogueira, Gonçalves, Heraldo Cesar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Estadual de Londrina 01.01.2014
• ISSN: 1676-546X; 1679-0359
• DOI: 10.5433/1679-0359.2014v35n4p2129

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing lactose with maltodextrin and adding fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) to the feed of weaned piglets. The first experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (2 sources of carbohydrates: maltodextrin and lactose in the pre-starter feed and with or without the use of 0.3% FOS in the pre-starter and starter feeds) with 7 repetitions in 3 animals. Performance and hematological parameters were evaluated. The second experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with a 2 × 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement (2 sources of carbohydrates: maltodextrin and lactose and with or without the use of 0.3% FOS; 2 slaughter dates: 7 and 14 d post-weaning; and slaughter on the day of weaning) with 8 repetitions in 1 animal. The following parameters were evaluated: pH and relative weight of digestive organs, enzyme activity, and microbial population. In the initial phase, maltodextrin did not compromise performance and could replace lactose with economic benefits; however, it does reduce intake of the pre-starter I feed. Maltodextrin has a prebiotic effect because it reduces the total coliform and E. coli populations in the cecum and reduces the pH of the rectal contents. The use of FOSs is not justified, regardless of whether lactose or maltodextrin is added to the feed.