September 25, 2023

 

Lallemand deep dives into liquid feed hygiene at Pig Research Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark

 

 

 

Lallemand Animal Nutrition's R&D and tech swine experts have gathered last week with leading experts in swine health and nutrition at the "Pig Research Summit – THINK Piglet Health & Nutrition 2023" in Copenhagen, Denmark.

 

In addition to exchanging about the latest trends and research in healthy pig nutrition, the team presented new data on the contribution of lactic acid bacteria Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM I-4622 to the hygiene of pig liquid feed.

 

In Europe, liquid feed is particularly popular for swine in countries including Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden, where more than 60% of finishers — as well as the majority of sows — are fed liquid feed.

 

Hygiene is key in liquid feed systems: the goal is to keep the feed at a low pH in order to limit the growth of undesirable microorganisms, Lallemand explained. Additionally, a good feed hygiene has an effect on feed efficiency.

 

In sows for example, higher hygiene in the liquid feed is expected to increase milk production thanks to improved feed utilisation, leaving more energy available for milk production. Ensuring the sanitary quality of liquid feed and the feeding system itself is a key priority to raise quality pigs.

 

According to Lallemand, lactic acid bacteria strain Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM I-4622 (BACTOCELL), which was already marketed as a zootechnical feed additive with benefits on performance for piglets and fattening pigs, has recently been authorised in the European Union as a technological feed additive, in the categories of acidity regulator and hygiene condition enhancer. This bacteria has been recognised for its potential to reduce pH and limit growth of coliform bacteria in liquid feeds, offering an effective tool to help ensure liquid feed hygiene and quality.

 

The study presented at the Pig Research Summit aimed at monitoring the acidification and hygiene enhancing properties of P. acidilactici CNCM I-4622 in pig liquid feed.

 

After 10 hours incubation at 30°C, the feeds containing P. acidilactici CNCM I-4622 were better and faster acidified than control feed. Feed pH remained significantly lower up to 24 hours. Similarly, the concentration of L-lactic acid in the feed was significantly higher with the lactic acid bacteria.

 

This enhanced lactic acid production ensured better feed hygiene as indicated by the significantly lower total coliform counts.

 

The researchers concluded that P. acidilactici CNCM I-4622 acidification properties contribute to the hygienisation of pig liquid feed by reducing the development of total coliforms.

 

Consequently, P. acidilactici CNCM I-4622 could be considered as a tool to increase milk production of sows in liquid feed production systems due to a potential improvement in feed efficiency.

 

- Lallemand Animal Nutrition