EFFECT OF BETA-GLUCANASE SUPPLEMENTATION TO HULLESS BARLEY-SOYBEAN ORWHEAT-SOYBEAN MEAL DIETS ON THE DIGESTIBILITIES OF ENERGY, PROTEIN, BETA-GLUCANS, AND AMINO AIDS IN YOUNG-PIGS

Studies were carried out to determine the effect of beta-glucanase sup plementation to hulless barley-soybean meal (HB+SBM) or wheat-soybean meal (W+SBM) diets on the digestibilities of GE, CP, beta-glucans, and amino acids. Twelve barrows, average BW 7.3 kg, were fitted with a si mple T-cannula at the distal ileum, approximately 5 cm from the ileo-c ecal sphincter. After a 7-d recuperation period, six pigs were allotte d to each dietary treatment according to a two-period crossover design . Both diets were formulated to contain 20% CP without and with supple mentation of .2% beta-glucanase. beta-glucanase refers to a mixture of enzymes with endo- and exo-beta-glucanase and beta-glucosidase activi ties. Chromic oxide was included as a digestibility marker. The pigs w ere fed three times daily at 0800, 1600, and 2400 and the daily allowa nce was offered at a rate of 5% of BW. Each experimental period lasted 9 d. Feces were collected for 48 h on d 6 and 7 and ileal digesta for a total of 24 h on d 8 and 9. beta-glucanase supplementation to the H B+SBM diet increased (P <.05 or P < .01) the ileal digestibilities of GE, CP, beta-glucans, and the majority of the amino acids and the feca l digestibilities of GE, CP, and all amino acids measured; the fecal d igestibility of beta-glucans in the HB+SBM diet was not affected by be ta-glucanase supplementation. There was no effect (P >.05) of beta-glu canase supplementation to the W+SBM diet on the ileal digestibilities of any criteria measured except for beta-glucans (P <.05). The supplem entation of beta-glucanase to the W+SBM diet increased (P <.05) the fe cal digestibility of energy but not (P >.05) the other criteria measur ed.