Wickerhamomyces anomalus inoculated barley in wet fermented feed for pigs

Abstract: The study was conducted to investigate the hygienic and nutritional value of Wickerhamomyces anomalus inoculated barley and also in combination with lactic acid bacteria starter culture inoculated barley in fermented liquid feed for growing pigs and their effect on the fermentation process. The experiment was carried out in SLU’s experiment stable. Six growing pigs Yorkshire purebred at an average initial live weight of (29±2.5) kg were surgically fitted with a PVTC – cannula. Four diets, 6 pigs and 6 periods were arranged in a change-over design. The fermented liquid diets were fermented dry (FD), fermented control (FC), fermented inoculated with Wickerhamomyces anomalus (FW) and fermented inoculated with Wickerhamomyces anomalus and Starter culture (FWS). Water was added to the feed in a 3:1 ratio. All of the treatments were fermented during an initial 7 days. When feeding commenced 1/2 of the contents were replaced with fresh feed and water once a day in the afternoon. The pH of the treatments was around 4.0. There were no Enterobacteriaceae found in the feed during the 6 periods. Cfu counts for yeast in all treatments slightly fluctuated around log 7.5 Cfu/ g grain during the experiment. Cfu counts for lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in Wickerhamomyces inoculated treatments tended to be lower than that in non-inoculated treatments. Cfu counts for mould in FW and FWS were lower (approximately log 1 for FW and log 3 for FWS) than in FC in the periods that they were detected. The apparent ileal digestibility of OM was different (P < 0.05) among treatments. The total tract digestibility of OM in FWS was higher (P < 0.01) than that in FC. The total tract digestibility of OM in FW was higher compared with in FC (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the total tract digestibility of CP (P < 0.0001) between treatments. The digestibility of phosphor (P) showed no significant difference (P >0.05) among treatments. In conclusion, Wickerhamomyces anomalus and lactic acid bacteria starter culture inoculated to moist crimped grain can give good hygiene in wet fermented feed and high total tract digestibility of organic matter and crude protein.