Joaquin Sanchez Zannatta | ALES Graduate Seminar

Event details: A graduate exam seminar is a presentation of the student’s final research project for their degree. This is an ALES PhD Final Exam Seminar by Joaquin Sanchez Zannatta. This seminar is open to the general public to attend.

Zoom Link: https://ualberta-ca.zoom.us/j/97991783754?pwd=41q7NFJEPLuUHOnbbklnZa3rj7xc1E.1

PhD with Dr. Ruurd Zijlstra

Thesis Topic: Impact of processing and chemical composition of Western Canadian ingredients in pigs

Abstract:

Feed accounts for approximately 70% of pork production costs, prompting interest in alternative ingredients such as lentil grain, canola meal (CM), and barley in Western Canada. Lentils are rich in starch and protein, CM is a cost-effective protein source, while certain hull-less barley grain cultivars with fermentable carbohydrates may enhance gut health. However, high fibre content in these ingredients may impair digestibility and growth, particularly in young pigs. This thesis investigated the effects of lentil, CM, and barley on nutrient utilization, growth, body composition, and energy and nutrient retention in swine. It also examined how processing methods such as extrusion and steam explosion affect their nutritional value.

Chapter 2 evaluated lentil-based diets containing soybean meal (SBM) or fish meal (FM) in grower pigs and the effects of extrusion on nutrient digestibility. FM diets had greater apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), and amino acids (AA) compared to SBM. Diet extrusion increased AID of crude protein (CP), most AA, and digestible energy (DE). Chapter 3 evaluated steam-exploded solvent-extracted Brassica napus CM in grower and weaned pig diets. Steam-explosion reduced CM AID of CP, most indispensable AA and GE in grower pigs. Inclusion of 200 g CM/kg to replace SBM reduced average daily feed intake (ADFI), but increased gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) in weaned pigs. However, steam-exploded CM reduced CP apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and increased ADFI, but not average daily gain (ADG) or G:F in weaned pigs. In Chapters 4 and 5, low-fermentable hulled barley (LFB) and high-fermentable hull-less barley cultivars (high β-glucan HFBB; high amylose HFAB) replaced low-fermentable wheat in weaned pig diets. Chapter 4 included steam-exploded LFB, while Chapter 5 tested a reduced net energy (NE) diet using LFB. Feeding HFAB reduced AID of β-glucan and starch. Feeding barley did not affect cecal and colonic short-chain fatty acids concentrations, Escherichia coli virulence factors levels, or body composition. However, high dietary fermentable carbohydrates reduced empty body weight and increased hindgut weight and butyrate and propionate concentrations. Steam explosion of LFB offered no nutritional or growth performance benefit.

In conclusion, extrusion increased the feeding value of lentil-based diets. Steam-explosion reduced CM nutritional value. Diets containing 200 g CM/kg, balanced for NE and SID AA to replace SBM, maintained ADG and improved G:F in weaned pigs. Feeding barley, regardless of fermentability or energy density, maintained growth performance and carcass weight, with fermentable carbohydrates favouring hindgut fermentation and cecal butyrate production. Feed processing and balancing diets based on available energy and AA can maintain growth performance when feeding protein- and fibre-rich alternative feed ingredients.