Microbiome and nutrient digestibility of pigs fed corn, soy, and corn distillers grains (DDGS) in the presence of a multicarbohydrase complex

The experiment aimed to evaluate performance, gut microbiota and digestibility of pigs fed corn, soy and corn distillers grain (DDGS) base diets with inclusion or not of a multicarbohydrase complex (MC). Eighty-eight pigs were raised from 135 to 154 d of age, with 89.3 ± 2.8 kg of initial body weight, and distribution in a randomized block design into 4 treatments. A pen was considered an experimental unit and initial body weight a blocking factor. All treatment diets contained equal nutritional levels. The experimental treatments consisted of diets containing: 1 corn and soybean meal; 2 corn, soybean meal and MC; 3 corn, soybean meal and DDGS; 4 corn, soybean meal, DDGS and MC. DDGS was included at 25% and the MC nutrient matrix used in feed formulation considered digestible amino acids (e.g., 0.017% dig Lys) and net energy contents (50.5 kcal/kg). Fecal samples were collected per pen to determine apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrients by indirect method using a marker. At the slaughtering, cecal content were sampled to microbiota analysis. Pigs fed DDGS presented the worst digestibility coefficient, however, when MC was added, there was an improvement in nutrient digestibility (P < 0.01). Inclusion of DDGS in feed led to negative effect on gut biodiversity and microbial quality. Animals fed corn and soy presented higher level of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Megasphaera, and Bifidobacterium (P < 0.001) compared with DDGS-fed pigs. Inclusion of DDGS in feed led to a significant increase in pathogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus (P < 0.001). When MC was included in DDGS diets, there was an increase in Bifidobacterium and a reduction in the Streptococcus genus. Regarding enteric microbiota diversity and using principal component analysis, benefit of inclusion of MC was achieved by improving similarity of diversity in either DDGS or corn soy diet. In conclusion, use of a multicarbohydrase complex in pig diets containing corn DDGS might ameliorate microbiota quality and diversity, in addition to promote an upgrade in nutrient digestibility.

Key Words: microbiota, corn distillers grains (DDGS), digestibility, enteric biodiversity.

Presented at the 9th Symposium on Gut Health in Production of Food Animals, St. Louis, USA, 2021. For information on the next edition, click here.