Effect of micronized pea and enzyme supplementation on nutrient utilization and manure output in growing pigs

An experiment was done to determine manure output, N and P excretion, and apparent digestibilities of AA, CP, P, and DM in growing pigs fed barley-based diets containing micronized or raw peas with or without supplementation with enzyme containing primarily beta-glucanase and phytase (Biogal S+). Eight barrows (21.5 +/- 1.2 kg of initial BW) fitted with T-cannulas at the distal ileum were used in a 40-d trial and housed in metabolism cages. Pigs were assigned in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design to 4 experimental diets: 1) barley-raw peas control (BRP), 2) barley-micronized peas (BMP), 3) BRP plus enzyme, and 4) BMP plus enzyme (BMP+E). Pigs received 2.6 times maintenance energy requirements based on BW at the beginning of each experimental period. During each experimental period, pigs were acclimatized to their respective diets for 5 d followed by a 3-d period of total fecal and urine collection and another 2-d period of ileal digesta collection. Samples were analyzed for DM, AA (diets and digesta only), N, and P. Wet fecal output of BRP plus enzyme-fed pigs tended to be lower (P = 0.07) than the amount produced by BMP-fed pigs. The amounts of dry feces and urine produced were not different among treatments (P > 0.10). Supplementing the BRP and BMP diet with enzyme increased (P = 0.002) the daily P retained per pig. Pigs fed the enzyme-supplemented diets tended to have lower (P = 0.06) fecal P excretion and greater urinary P excretion (P = 0.001) compared with pigs fed the nonsupplemented diets, but total P excretion was not influenced by diet (P > 0.10). Pigs fed the BMP+E diet retained more (P = 0.006) N per day than pigs fed the BMP diet. However, N excretion was not influenced by dietary treatment (P > 0.10), although BMP+E-fed pigs excreted 13.2% less N in the feces compared with those fed the nonenzyme supplemented controls. Inclusion of micronized peas with or without enzyme supplementation did not affect urinary or fecal N excretion (P > 0.10) compared with the BRP. Dietary treatment had no effect (P > 0.10) on ileal or fecal DM or CP digestibilities. Apparent ileal digestibilities of AA were usually lower (P < 0.05) in the BRP diet compared with the other diets. Enzyme supplementation improved P digestibility at the ileal and fecal level. The current results indicate that utilizing micronized peas in barley-based pig grower diets enhances P retention.