REVIEW PAPER
Organic acids as feed additives for young pigs:
Nutritional and gastrointestinal effects
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Institute of Nutrition Physiology, Technical University of Munich,
D-85350 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
Publication date: 1998-08-22
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 1998;7(Suppl. 1):25-33
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ABSTRACT
Experimental data show that a significant improvement of growth rate and feed conversion rate
of weanling pigs can be achieved by the inclusion of organic acids in the diet. These ergotropic
effects have been mainly observed with formic, lactic, sorbic, fumaric, citric and malic acid as well
as with different salts of formic acid. The lowering of dietary pH alone, with inorganic acids
(o-phosphoric acid, HCl), however failed to show any nutritive efficacy. Studies on the mode
of action of organic acids indicate that they cause a higher protein and energy digestibility and
retention, an alteration of bacterial populations and metabolites in the gastrointestinal tract and
possibly an effect on metabolism. It seems likely that the antimicrobial properties of organic acids
and of their salts are of great importance for their beneficial effects in weanling pigs.
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