Effects of benzoic acid and inulin on ammonia-nitrogen excretion, plasma urea levels, and the pH in faeces and urine of weaner pigs

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

18 Scopus Citations
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Author(s)

  • Danka Halas
  • Christian Fink Hansen
  • Jae-Cheol Kim
  • Bruce P. Mullan
  • Robert H. Wilson
  • John R. Pluske

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)243-245
Journal / PublicationLivestock Science
Volume134
Issue number1-3
Online published11 Jul 2010
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2010
Externally publishedYes

Abstract

The present experiment tested the hypothesis that dietary supplementation with BA and IN would reduce total ammonia-N (NH3-N) excretion. Ninety-six female pigs (Large White×Landrace) aged 21±3days and weighing 5.87±0.077kg (mean±S.E.) were used in a 2×3 factorial experiment, with the respective factors being benzoic acid (BA; 0 and 5g/kg) and inulin (IN; 0, 40 and 80g/kg) in the diets. Pigs were housed individually and fed their respective diet for 3weeks. Blood samples from 6 focus pigs per diet were collected on days 14 and 21, and digesta, urine and faecal samples were collected at slaughter on day 21. Feeding only BA decreased (P=0.050) the combined faecal and urinary NH3-N concentration while IN increased (P=0.001) the NH3-N proportion in faeces and proportionally decreased (P=0.001) the NH3-N proportion in urine. Additionally, dietary BA reduced the pH level in urine (P=0.001) and faeces (P=0.033), and plasma urea levels were decreased with both BA (P=0.010) and IN (P=0.008). No significant BA×IN interactions were noted. These data suggest that BA and IN can reduce NH3-N excretion by different mechanisms, possibly by reducing excreta pH and bacterial populations (BA), as well as changing bacterial metabolic activities (BA and IN).

Research Area(s)

  • Ammonia-N, Benzoic acid, Inulin, Pig

Citation Format(s)

Effects of benzoic acid and inulin on ammonia-nitrogen excretion, plasma urea levels, and the pH in faeces and urine of weaner pigs. / Halas, Danka; Hansen, Christian Fink; Hampson, David J. et al.
In: Livestock Science, Vol. 134, No. 1-3, 09.2010, p. 243-245.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review