Abstract Two experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that microminerals and/or vitamins microencapsulated by Jefo Matrix Technology (JMT) can be included in diets for weanling pigs in reduced concentrations compared with traditional forms of vitamins and minerals without reducing pig performance. In both experiments, 240 newly weaned pigs weight:6.06 and 5.65 kg for Exp. 1 and 2, respectively were used over 6 weeks with four pigs per pen and 10 replicates per diet. The statistical model included diet as fixed variable and block and replicate within block as random variables. In Exp. 1, the positive control (PC) contained industry levels of Cu, Mn, Zn, and Fe, but the negative control (NC) contained no supplemental microminerals. Three diets contained 100, 50, or 30% of JMT Cu, Mn, Zn, and Fe (Jefo Nutrition Inc.). The last diet contained amino acid-chelated Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn (Zinpro, at recommended levels). Final weight, average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were reduced (P 0.05) in NC pigs compared with pigs fed all other diets, but no differences were observed among the five diets that contained added microminerals (Table 1). Gain to feed (G:F) of pigs fed NC tended to be reduced (P = 0.080) compared with pigs fed the amino acid-chelated diet. Fecal score and serum minerals were not affected by treatment. In Exp. 2, all diets contained JMT minerals at 30% of industry levels. Vitamins were added to PC at industry levels, but NC contained no added vitamins. Two diets contained JMT vitamins at 30% of PC and two diets contained JMT vitamins at 50 or 100% of PC. All diets except one of the diets with 30% JMT vitamins also contained a fermentation extract. Overall ADG and ADFI of pigs fed NC were reduced (P 0.05) compared with pigs fed other diets, but G:F was not affected by treatment (Table 2). Growth performance did not differ among pigs fed the other 5 diets. Serum vitamins A, B, and E, calprotectin, and malondialdehyde were not affected by treatment. Serum haptoglobin in pigs fed the 50% JMT diet tended to be greater (P 0.10) than in pigs fed NC or the 30% diet without extract. Total antioxidant capacity of pigs fed the 100% diet was less (P 0.05) compared with other treatments. Serum 1,25-(OH)2D3 of pigs fed NC was least (P 0.05) among all treatments. Serum 1,25-(OH)2D3 was greater (P 0.05) in pigs fed the 100% JMT diet compared with all other treatments. In conclusion, inclusion of supplemented microminerals and vitamins may be reduced without compromising performance of pigs if microencapsulated forms of microminerals or vitamins are used in diets for weanling pigs.
Lee et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
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