Precise evaluation of the nutritional value of yeast culture and its effect on pigs fed low-protein diets

The purpose of the present study was to assess the nutritional value of yeast culture (YC) and to explore the effect of YC on growth performance and health of piglets fed low-protein diets. In Exp. 1, 12 growing barrows were allocated into control diet and YC diet treatments to determine the available energy of YC. Results showed that the digestible energy and metabolizable energy of YC are 12.12 and 11.66 MJ/kg dry matter (DM), respectively. In Exp. 2, 12 growing barrows were surgically equipped with a T-cannula near the distal ileum and were assigned to 2 dietary treatments (nitrogen-free diet and YC diet), and the amino acid digestibility of YC was determined. In Exp. 3, a total of 96 weaned piglets were randomly divided into 4 treatments, including low-protein basal diet (Basal), Basal + 0.5% YC (0.5%YC), Basal + 1.0% YC (1.0%YC), and Basal + 1.5% YC (1.5%YC). The results were as follows: YC supplementation linearly improved the weight gain and feed intake ratio (