Effects of Dietary β-mannanase Supplementation of Soybean Meal on the Performance of Weanling Pigs

This study examined the efficacy of β-mannanase supplementation with types of soyabean meal (SBM; 44 and 48% CP) diet on the performance of weanling pigs. One hundred forty pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an initial BW of 5.97±1.01 kg were used in a 6-week feeding trial. The piglets were randomly allotted to four dietary groups in a 2×2 factorial arrangement, with feed rations consisting of hulled or dehulled SBM with or without 0.05% β-mannanase. The pigs fed diets containing β-mannanase showed greater average daily feed intake (P=0.033) at week 2 and ADG (P=0.082) at week 6 and improved digestibility of DM (P=0.008), N (P=0.008), energy (P=0.036) and phosphorus (P=0.047). Further, the interaction between SBM diets and β-mannanase was found significant for the diegstibility of DM (P=0.011), N (P=0.042) and phosphorus (P=0.052). The type of SBM had significant (P=0.013) effects on the RBC concentration at week 6. Supplementation of β-mannanase tended (P<0.10) to improve the RBC and lymphocytes of the pigs at week 6. The types of SBM reduced the faecal score at day 3 (P=0.047) accompanying a similar tendency at day 5 (P=0.095). The supplementation of βmannanase on faecal microflora (E. coli and Lactobacillus) showed significant (P<0.05) differences among the groups at week 6. These results suggest the improving effects of β-mannanase when supplemented to low-CP SBM diet of weanling pigs in terms of performance, nutrients digestibility, and faecal microbiota.