Evaluation of yucca extract, amino acid and Jerusalem artichoke supplementation in pig diets

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of yucca extract supplementation, amino acid substitution and Jerusalem artichoke (JA) supplementation on growth performance and manure volatile fatty acids (VFA) in pigs. Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), a relative of the sunflower, is an abundant source of inulin. Inulin can support the growth of certain intestinal bacteria. Deodorase$\sp\circler$ is an extract from the plant Yucca shidigera, and has been shown to bind ammonia and inhibit peptide fermentation. Synthetic lysine, methionine and threonine were used for amino acid substitutions. The first experiment was a digestibility study using twelve Cotswold pigs randomly assigned to a cont ol, JA or Deodorase$\sp\circler$ supplemented diet. The aim of the second experiment was to observe the effects of Deodorase$\sp\circler$ on growth performance and faecal VFA. The aim of the third experiment was to determine the effects of amino acid substitution and Deodorase$\sp\circler$ supplementation on growth performance and faecal volatile fatty acids. The aim of the fourth experiment was to observe the effects of JA supplementation on growth performance and manure characteristics. The aim of the fifth experiment, an offshoot of the fourth, was to determine the effects of JA supplementation on nitrogen balance. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)