Productive performance of pigs fed with solid-state fermented supplement based on Saccharum officinarum L. and Moringa oleifera Lam

Abstract

Feed supplements as alternatives in animal feeding can be economically and biologically viable. The objective was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with solid-state fermentation of Saccharum officinarum L. and Moringa oleifera Lam. (FES-Moringa) on the productive behavior of fattening pigs. This research was carried out at the Specific Direction of Animal Science of the National Agrarian University; 15 pigs with an average initial weight of 54.2 ± 2.8 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design with three treatments and five replicates. The treatments consisted of levels of inclusion of FES-Moringa in the commercial concentrate: Treatment one was 100% commercial concentrate; treatment two was the mixture of commercial concentrate plus 15% FES-Moringa and the third treatment was the combination of commercial concentrate plus 25% FES-Moringa. The productive variables evaluated were final live weight (kg), total weight gain (kg), average daily gain (g), feed conversion (kg) and feed intake (kg). Statistical analysis was performed using an analysis of variance and mean comparisons using Tukey’s test with 95% confidence. In final live weight, total weight gain, average daily gain and feed conversion showed no statistical differences between the inclusion levels of FES-Moringa at 15% and 25%, however, they were surpassed by the commercial concentrate, except for feed conversion. In the case of initial weight and feed intake, there were no differences. The inclusion of FES-Moringa at 25% presents the lowest total cost of feed consumed (USD 34.23) and the highest gross profit (USD 25.11).