Evaluation of encapsulated probiotics containing Pediococcus and Lactobacillus strains on nutrient digestibility of pig finisher ration

Abstract

A nutrient digestibility trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding encapsulated probiotics on the nutrient digestibility of pig finisher ration. A total of eighteen Large White Yorkshire pigs were randomly assigned into three treatment groups having three replicates with two piglets per replicate. Encapsulation of probiotics (1x1011CFU/ml) was done by extrusion process using sodium alginate and calcium chloride. The encapsulated probiotics Pediococcus acidilactici (NCIM 5721) and Lactobacillus plantarum (NCIM 2374) were given separately mixed with fermented maize for T2 and T3 group pigs, respectively, and supplemented from 42nd day of its age and pigs in the control group (T1) received only fermented maize. The pigs in all groups were fed with pig grower and finisher ration as per ICAR (2013) recommendations. One pig from each group was selected randomly for a nutrient digestibility trial at the 213th day of its age using Titanium dioxide (TiO2) as an external marker mixed at 5 g/kg of feed and fed for six days. On day six, faecal content was collected and Titanium dioxide was estimated. The results revealed supplementation of encapsulated probiotics showed a significant (P<0.01) increase in dry matter, ether extract, crude fibre, crude protein and organic matter digestibility in encapsulated probiotic supplemented group pigs compared to the control. Further, it was concluded that encapsulated L. plantarum (NCIM 2374) supplemented T3 group showed better digestibility of nutrients than encapsulated P. acidilactici (NCIM 5721) (T2) group animals.