TP 3: Studies on the precaecal digestibility of amino acids from barley, wheat, rye and triticale in pigs

Since 2006 the protein evaluation of feeds for pigs is officially based on the precaecal digestibility of amino acids in Germany. An update and supplementation of the incomplete database for the digestibility of amino acids, in dependence of crop type and variety, is demanded by both science and practice. The same applies to the precaecal digestibility of starch, which can vary significantly between crop types, varieties and individual grain lots, with impacts on the energetic feed value. Investigations were carried out with fistulated pigs to determine the precaecal digestibility of protein, amino acids and starch from winter barley, winter wheat, winter rye, and winter triticale. Supplemented by the results from the chemical-analytical characterization (Z-project) the researchers examined whether there are correlations between the digestibility and single or multiple ingredients allowing for the derivation of estimation equations. In addition, the gained data from the animal experiments were the basis for the development and validation of in vitro methods for estimating the digestibility and for screening of digestive values for use in the feed industry and crop breeding (TP 4). With regards to content the project is closely related to subprojects 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8.

Subproject leader

Prof. Dr. Rainer Mosenthin

University of Hohenheim