Growth Performance of Pigs Fed Copra Meal Diets with or without Non-Starch Polysaccharide-Degrading Enzyme

Placido  F. Alcantara,; Ninfa  P. Roxas,; Marlene  B. Atinyao,

Growth Performance of Pigs Fed Copra Meal Diets with or without Non-Starch Polysaccharide-Degrading Enzyme

Marlene B. Atinyao | Ninfa P. Roxas | Placido F. Alcantara

Discipline: Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science

Abstract:

This study was conducted to determine the effect of varying levels of copra meal and non-starch polysaccharide (NSP)-degrading enzyme supplementation on feed and nutrient intakes, growth rate, feed efficiency and backfat thickness of pigs fed diets containing copra meal in pigs. The two factors considered in the study were the levels of copra meal (0, 15 and 30%) and (NSP)-degrading enzyme supplementation resulting to six treatment combinations. The total, insoluble and soluble NSP contents of copra meal were 29.56%, 25.79% and 3.77%, respectively. The reduced gain in weight as the level of copra meal was raised could be attributed to the adverse effect of copra meal. The improved feed: gain ration at 30% copra meal with enzyme supplementation indicated that the NSP-degrading enzyme was effective in diets with high NSP. However, this effect was not translated as improved gain. The higher daily intakes of crude fiber and total and insoluble NSP in rats and pigs at 30% copra meal diet with enzyme supplement was likewise attributed to the effect of the enzyme supplement.