PSIV-2 Digestibility evaluation of fermented soybean for nursery piglets

Anti-nutritional factors (ANF) and antigenic proteins present in soybean meal (SBM) limit its application in piglet diets. Therefore, protein sources of high biological value are used as an alternative to replace SBM, which became the pre-initial feed the most expensive diet in pork production. The main problems caused by the presence of ANF are related to poor digestion, absorption and nutrient utilization resulting in increased diarrhea, intestinal inflammation, and consequent lower growth performance. ANF in soybean might be inactivated through heat treatment but also, it may reduce the availability of some amino acids when overheated. The process of fermentation may enhance the nutritional value of soybean by increasing the bioavailability of nutrients and reducing ANF. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutrients digestibility of fermented soybeans for nursery piglets. Twenty pigs (barrows), initial weight of 11 kg, were housed in metabolic cages and had their feces and urine collected for analysis. Piglets were assigned in ten replicates and two experimental diets, basal diet and fermented soybean diet (80% of the basal diet and 20% of the fermented soybean). The total amount fed was determined based on metabolic weight parameters. Ferric oxide was used as a fecal marker. The coefficient of digestibility was used to estimate the nutritional value trough analyzing dry matter digestibility (DMD), crude protein digestibility (CPD), calcium digestibility (CD), phosphorus digestibility (PD), digestible energy (DE) and, metabolizable energy (ME). The digestibility coefficients were 91.02% for DMD; 93.74% for CPD; 76.10% for CD; 54.62% for PD; and 86.73% for DE. ME was determined in 3589 kcal kg-1. Crude protein was determined in 59.64%. The nutritional profile of the fermented soybean shows a great potential to be used in initial diets of piglets due to their high level of nutrients digestibility.