Effect of inulin extract or inulin-containing plant supplement on short-chain fatty acids in the large intestine and jejunum histology of fatteners

摘要

Fructooligosaccharide additives to pig diets may enhance the proportion of short-chain organic acid in the distal digestive tract and the more efficient use of some nutrients by changing the structure and activity of intestinal villi. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of inulin or inulin-containing plant powder on volatile fatty acid levels in the cecal digesta and the final portion of the large intestine, as well as the assessment of changes in the intestine histology. The study involved 120 growers of 30.0 +/- 0.5 kg body weight (SW) allocated into 5 treatment groups. The animals were fed ad libitum with complete diets for growers (30-70 kg) and finishers (71-115 kg). At slaughter, the content samples and specimens of the cecum and colon were taken for laboratory evaluation. More significant differences were reported for volatile fatty acid content in the cecum as compared to the distal colon. The dietary supplementation of inulin was found to increase the jejunal villus height (water-alcohol extraction) and thickness of muscularis externa (water extraction). The addition of inulin or dried plants containing inulin induced changes in short chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentration, mainly through propionic acid concentration.