The Importance of Bioactive Feed Additives in Feeding Pigs and Their Impact on the Digestibility of Particular Nutrients

Abstract

In recent years, bioactive additives have become a subject of interest in the field of nutrition of farm animals. Therefore, the application of biosorptive properties of components is an alternative to inorganic mineral compounds and can play an important role in innovative nutritional strategies. The study presents a quantitative measurement of mineral components such as manganese, zinc, copper, and iron by using the scanning electron microscopy with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The research material was the feces collected from 39 growing-finishing pigs divided into 3 groups: control one, receiving inorganic mineral compounds, and experimental groups, fed organic mineral mixtures constituting 100% and 125% of the recommended daily intake. Each group of animals consisted of 13 animals (n = 13). The results showed a difference in the elemental composition of the pooled samples of all three groups. The highest bioavailability of minerals had the group receiving 100% of the recommended dose of the experimental organic compounds. In the control group, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05) in the case of manganese, zinc and iron. The study showed that the mineral supplements obtained in the biosorption process showed a high rate of absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and did not require the intake of doses greater than 100% of the daily requirement. The high proportion of trace elements in the second experimental group did not increase their bioavailability and contributed to the reduced digestibility of nutrients.