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Abstract
The main objective of this work was to investigate the potential of a microencapsulated mixture of organic acids (formic and lactic acid) added to the feed of fattening pigs to reduce the prevalence and shedding of Salmonella when arriving to the abattoir. Two trials were performed. In Trial 1, 24 fattening pigs received one of three diets: a control diet, the same diet including lactic and formic acid (0.4% each) (non-protected blend; NPB), or a lipid microencapsulated blend (0.14% each acid) (protected blend; PB). After 10 days, digesta samples from various parts of gastrointestinal tract were taken. No changes were detected either in pH, total short chain fatty acids (SCFA), lactic/formic acid concentrations in any of the sections studied or in caecal lactic acid bacteria or enterobacteria. In Trial 2, 261 pigs from a commercial farm were distributed between the three previous diets in the five weeks before slaughtering. At the abattoir, no change was detected in caecal pH, but increased concentrations (p < 0.05) of formic and lactic acid were found with the NPB and PB treatments. The total SCFA concentration was higher with the PB compared to the control diet (p = 0.002) with a lower percentage of branched chain fatty acids. Both acidified diets decreased enterobacteria in the caecum but did not modify lactobacilli. NPB treatment decreased Salmonella seroprevalence (p < 0.001). Asignificant (p < 0.05) increase in Salmonella faecal shedding was found related to the stress previous to slaughter with the control group and PB, but not in the NPB group. More studies will be needed to confirm the usefulness of protected acids to prevent Salmonella prevalence and shedding at the abattoir.
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to Pinsos Baucells S.A. and particularly to Ester Vinyeta for their help in the development of the trial by providing the farms and also in manufacturing the experimental diets. They also thank Molimen S.L. and especially Ramon Gatnau for facilitating the manufacture of the protected acid blend. The authors are also grateful to Fredy Mateus for his help in the animal husbandry. This study received financial support of the Project AGL2003-08370-C02-01 from the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia, Spain.