Effect of β-glucanase supplementation of cereal-based diets for starter pigs on the apparent digestibilities of dry matter, crude protein and energy

A total of 48 PIC pigs (Camborough × Canabrid), average body weight 6.2 kg and 24 d of age, were allotted to four experiments (12 pigs each, equal numbers of barrows and gilts) to determine the effect of β-glucanase supplementation on the digestibilities of crude protein and energy in cereal-based soybean meal diets without or with supplementation of β-glucanase at 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2% (wt./wt.). The experimental diets were formulated to contain 200 g crude protein kg−1 based on soybean meal and barley (B + SBM, experiment 1), wheat (W + SBM, experiment 2), corn (C + SBM, experiment 3) or rye (R + SBM, experiment 4), respectively. Chromic oxide was used as digestibility marker. Each experiment was carried out according to a balanced two-period change-over design. The pigs were fed 3 times daily, equal amounts, at 08:00, 16:00 and 24:00 h, at a rate of 5% (wt./wt.) of the individual body weight which was determined at the beginning of the first (6.2 kg) and second (8.1 kg) experimental period. Each experimental period lasted 10 days with 7 days of adaptation followed by 3 days of faeces collection. There was a linear increase (P < 0.05) in the digestibilities of dry matter, crude protein and energy when β-glucanase was supplemented to the B + SBM diets. The digestibility of crude protein increased (P < 0.05) from 81.6 to 88.5% when 0.2% β-glucanase was supplemented; the digestibility of energy increased (P < 0.05) from 85.2 to 89.5%. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of β-glucanase supplementation on the digestibilities of crude protein and energy in the W + SBM, C + SBM and R + SBM diets.