The effect of feeding a diet containing 25% millet grain on performance and plasma metabolic profile was evaluated in weaned piglets during 21 days trial. A total of 40 pigs with an 8.14±1.08 kg average body weight (BW) was weaned at 28±3 days of age and divided into the control group (C) and the experimental group (M). The C group (n=20) received a conventional diet based on the corn-triticale-soybean meal while in the M group (n=20) received 25% millet grain cv. Marius replaced triticale (2 replicates per group). At the end of the post-weaning period, the performances (BW; average daily feed intake, ADFI; average daily gain, ADG; feed: gain ratio, F: G ratio) and plasma metabolic profile (lipid, protein, enzyme, mineral) were evaluated. A slow, but not significant increase was observed for the BW (+6%), ADG (+12%), ADFI (+5%) and F: G ratio (+7%) of pigs fed M diet. No effect (P>0.05) of dietary treatment on plasma metabolic profile was observed. However, the concentrations of triglyceride (-15%, P=0.089), total cholesterol (-14%, P=0.060) and aspartate aminotransferase enzyme activity (-16%, P=0.095) tended to decreased while inorganic phosphorus (+11%; P<0.04) had increased in the M vs. C diet. The present study indicated that the replacement of 25% millet grain to triticale in weaned piglet’s diet, maintains the performances and blood plasma parameters within the physiological ranges, beneficial to the health status.

The present work was planned to test the effects of 2 protein-oil rich ingredients which replaced an important part of classical soybean meal, on nitrogen (N) metabolism indicators. Simultaneous we aimed to assess performances, enteric methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted through manure. A balance test was conducted with 15 barrows, 36 ± 0.24 Kg initial body weight, assigned in three groups in metabolism cages: 1. SC diet based on a classical diet (soybean meal, 13%); 2. SP diet based on peas Tudor variety 16% that replace 49% of SM; 3. SPF diet containing 8% soybean meal, 12% peas and 4% linseed Lirina variety. Faecal and urine were quantitatively collected in two balance periods. A semiautomatic Kjeldahl method was used for assessing the N. The Spotchem EZ SP-4430 was used for determining plasma protein and urea nitrogen (BUN). The regression equations were used to determine N metabolism indicators, CO2 emitted and enteric CH4. An increase of 1.16 times of feed intake was noticed in the SP group compared to SC. The lipid intake was slightly higher in the SP fed group which contributed to an increase of energy intake compared to SC group (>1.17 times) and vs SPL fed group (>1.2 times). The average daily gain (ADG) decreased highly significant in the SP diet compared to the SC diet. Linseed adds in SPL diet contributed to obtaining performances closed to SC group. SP diets increased the N level slightly in faeces and urine. BUN concentration has a linear relation with urinary N. CO2 emitted represent 28-32% of CO2 exhalation. CO2 increased in the SP diet (P<0.10) due to the fact that HP value increased as well. No significant influence was noticed for CH4 estimated value, although a slight increase was observed in the SP diet. In conclusion, although certain N metabolism indicator was affected by peas diet, only a little part was significantly modified. An oil-rich ingredient such as linseed could successfully complement peas by diminishing its adverse effects.

This study reported the effect of Rhizopus azygosporus UICC 539 growth on the sterile slurry and palm kernel cake (PKC), and analysis of the nutrient content of the waste mixtures. The fungus showed good growth on Potato Sucrose Agar (PSA) at temperature range of 30 to 50 °C, and could not grow at 55 °C. Inoculum was prepared from fungal culture in Potato Sucrose Broth (PSB) by still fermentation at 30 and 40 °C for 5 days. Sterile slurry and PKC (3:1) in Petri dishes (diameter 9 cm) were prepared and solid-state fermentation was carried out using inoculum (10 %, v/v) at 30 and 40 °C, and incubated for 5 days. Rhizopus azygosporus UICC 539 showed good growth and increased cell numbers on sterile waste mixtures. Effect of fungal growth on the nutrient content of the waste mixtures was observed by comparing the treatment and control. There was an increase in the moisture and ash content, and a decrease in protein content, total calorie and carbohydrate content. There was no change of the calorie from fat and total fat content compared to the control.

In this study, an experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of two levels of Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6051a (BS), respectively Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 21424 (BL) administered as direct-fed microbial DFM probiotic bacteria on plasma biochemical profile of weaning piglets fed diets. A total of 100 piglets, 30±3 day-old, with initial average body weight (BW) of 8.53±0.17 kg were randomly distributed to 5 homogeneous groups (C, E1-BS 1%, E2-BS 3%, E3-BL 1%, E4-BL 3%,), 2 replicates/group with 10 piglets/pens, for 16 days of biological trial. The doses used were: 1% low dose in a concentration of 1.6 x 109 CFU spores g-1 feed, and 3% high dose in a concentration of 4.8 x 109 CFU spores g-1 feed. Results showed that BS supplementation affected plasma concentration of GGT (P<0.017), TG (P<0.048) and Mg (P<0.0001). No effect (P>0.05) as diet*day interaction on plasma metabolic profile was observed. In conclusion, administration of Bacillus spp. maintains the concentration of blood plasma parameters within the physiological ranges, without affecting the piglet’s health status.