Table 2 – Nutrient digestibility and performance of weaning piglets fed diets containing different levels of oyster mushroom (OM).
Parameter
Digestibility (%) Crude protein Crude fibre Gross energy
Performance ADFI (g) ADG (g)
Dietary OM levels (g/kg) 0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00
70.8 76.1 86.2 75.1 60.0 73.9 74.6 66.9 65.7 76.4 74.2 86.9
497 411 497 554 286 192 290 469
FCR (g) 2.75 3.15 2.72 2.18
The inclusion of oys- ter mushroom in the diet of piglets in- creased feed intake and improved growth rates and the feed-to-gain ratio.
a prebiotic that favourably affects the composition and func- tion of the host intestinal microbiota with enrichment in car- bohydrate metabolism and increased SCFA production, con- ferring more intestinal epithelial barrier protection. The butyrate levels increased with the increase in dietary mush- room levels. The highest total SCFAs levels occurred at an in- clusion level of 10 g/kg (Table 1).
Immunomodulation The researchers focused on immunoglobulins and cytokines as they regulate the immune system. In this study, oyster mushrooms stimulated the production of cytokines (interleu- kin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-α) and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and IgM). Cytokines are involved in pro-inflamma- tory and immune function: the onset, activation and regula- tion of inflammation, innate and specific immune response, and acute phase reactions. Immunoglobulins are a critical part of the immune response which specifically recognise and bind to antigens, such as bacteria or viruses, and help to destroy them. In previous studies, the secondary metabolites in mushrooms have been reported to have special properties: an immunomodulation effect and anticholesterolemic, anti- oxidant and neuroprotective effects.
Digestibility and growth performance During weaning and immediately after weaning, a piglet’s digestive tract is not well developed and hence the digestion
of most feed ingredients is compromised. In the present study, the digestion of protein, fibre and gross energy were increased by the addition of mushroom (see table 2). Researchers sug- gested that the improvement in microbial composition en- hances the digestibility of crude fibre and provide energy through production of SCFA. The bactericidal effects of SCFA also improves gut health and intestinal epithelial integrity. On the other hand, mushrooms contain high fibre content and these dietary fibres may decrease intestinal transit time – thus promoting better nutrient digestibility. The inclusion of oyster mushrooms in the diet of piglets also increased feed intake, improved growth rate and feed-to-gain ratio. Better feed con- version and consequent growth rate were attributed to improved nutrient digestibility and gut health.
The potential of oyster mushrooms Weaning is a challenge in the early life of piglets: it exposes piglets to several disorders such as diarrhoea, as well as im- paired intestinal metabolism and immune functions – subse- quently affecting growth performance. This study found that the dietary inclusion of 5 to 15 g/kg oyster mushrooms has the potential to reduce the incidence of diarrhoea and increase the overall performance of piglets. With the use of zinc oxide to prevent diarrhoea in piglets be- ing discouraged in the wake of its hazardous effects on the environment, oyster mushrooms are one of the potential alternative solutions.
▶ ALL ABOUT FEED | Volume 28, No. 5, 2020 19
PHOTO: PETER
J.E.ROEK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28
