ORGANIC-ACIDS AS FEED ADDITIVES FOR YOUNG-PIGS - NUTRITIONAL AND GASTROINTESTINAL EFFECTS

Experimental data show that a significant improvement of growth rate a nd feed conversion rate of weanling pigs can be achieved by the inclus ion of organic acids in the diet. These ergotropic effects have been m ainly observed with formic, lactic, sorbic, fumaric, citric and malic acid as well as with different salts of formic acid. The lowering of d ietary pH alone, with inorganic acids (o-phosphoric acid, HCl), howeve r 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 a nd metabolites in the gastrointestinal tract and possibly an effect on metabolism. It seems likely that the antimicrobial properties of orga nic acids and of their salts are of great importance for their benefic ial effects in weanling pigs.