Dietary Effect of Artificial Zeolite on Performance, Immunity, Faecal Microflora Concentration and Noxious Gas Emissions in Pigs

A total of 48 crossbred (Landrace×Yorkshire×Duroc) pigs (2 months old; 28.38±2.62 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to either a control (basal diet) or 0.5% artificial zeolite (AZ) [basal diet + 0.5% AZ, dry matter (DM) basis] dietary treatment group in a completely randomized block design. Growth performance, immunity, muscle composition, carcass quality, faecal microflora concentration and noxious gas emissions were then investigated. No significant variation was observed in average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) or gain:feed [kg gain/kg dry matter intake (DMI)] ratio between treatments. The IgM and IgA levels remained unchanged, whereas the IgG level increased in the AZ dietary group relative to the control (P<0.05). Carcass quality, muscle composition and cholesterol level were also unaffected by AZ supplementation (P>0.05). Although AZ had no significant effect on fecal yeast and Lactobacillus spp. concentrations, a significant reduction was observed for Bacillus spp. in growing and E. coli both in growing and finishing pigs (P<0.05). Additionally, AZ supplementation led to a reduction in faecal ammonia (NH3), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) gases relative to the control (P<0.05). Based on these results, AZ had positive effects on faecal E. coli concentration and noxious gas emissions; however, further study with different levels of AZ to better understand its effects on growth performance of grower to finisher pigs is warranted.