Influence of physical properties of soluble and insoluble fiber on digestibility by piglets

The ideal amount of fiber in the diet of pigs is still controversially discussed in literature, including its influence on animal performance, gut health and animal welfare. Especially for piglets the content of fiber in the diet are receiving large attention. Fibers are long chain carbohydrates which are undigested by the enzymes of pigs and remains in the digesta for longer compared to other feed components. During transition along the digestion system, the physico-chemical characteristics of fibre may influence the availability of nutrients and energy in diets for piglets. The physico-chemical characteristics of fibre are however poorly described in literature. The project aims to measure buffering capacity, water holding capacity and cation exchange capacity for a range of feeds commonly used in piglet diets. In vitro trials are performed to show the variation in physico-chemical characteristics in different feeds. After screening, with the support of the österreichischen Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft (FFG), a certain number of sources are selected for a feeding trial with piglets to identify relationships between physico-chemical characteristics and the digestibility of nutrients, as well as animal performance.