Effect of yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and garlic (Allium sativum) product mixture on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal microflora, faecal noxious-gas emission and meat quality in finishing pigs

Context Dietary supplementation with a single feed additive or a combination of different feed additives as growth promoters has been researched extensively. However, few studies have tested the combined use of probiotics (yeast culture) and phytogenics (garlic products) in pigs. Aims The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation of a mixture of yeast culture, garlic extract and garlic essential oil (YGM) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal microflora, faecal noxious-gas emission and meat quality in finishing pigs. Methods Two hundred [(Landrace×Yorkshire)×Duroc] finishing pigs (50.37 ± 1.89 kg) were randomly allotted into two dietary treatments on the basis of bodyweight (BW) and sex for a 10-week feeding trial. Dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet (CON) and CON containing 0.1% of YGM. The YGM was composed of 54.5% of yeast culture, 40% of garlic extract powder and 5.5% of garlic essential oil. There were 20 replicated pens per treatment, with five pigs (3 barrows and 2 gilts) per pen. Pig BW was measured at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Feed consumption was recorded daily during the experiment, on a pen basis, to calculate average daily gain (ADG). Key results Dietary YGM supplementation resulted in a higher (P < 0.05) final BW and ADG than in the control groups. Pigs fed YGM supplementation diet led to a higher (P < 0.05) digestibility of dry matter (DM) than in CON. The emission of hydrogen sulfide gas from faeces was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in pigs fed YGM diets; however, ammonia and total mercaptan emissions were not influenced. There were no differences in meat-quality parameters between the two treatments. Conclusions Dietary YGM supplementation exerted beneficial effects on BW and ADG and DM digestibility, reduced hydrogen sulfide gas emission, and did not have any adverse effects on meat-quality parameters that are related to consumer acceptance. Implications The study has provided a basis and insight for future research on application of a combination of yeast culture, garlic extract and garlic essential oils, as an alternative to antibiotics in finishing pig diets.