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To test this hypothesis, the hydrolysate of animal protein , was compared to a hydrolysate of soy protein, or spray dried porcine plasma (SDPP). A total of 96 piglets were weaned at 21 days of age and randomly distributed into 3 groups of 32 pigs each. Piglets were distributed into 24 pens (8 replicates of pigs per group). Every group of piglets had the choice between two diets, resulting in three comparisons. In comparison 1, a diet containing SDPP (4%) was tested against a diet containing a soy protein hydrolysate (4%); in comparison 2, a diet containing the animal protein hydrolysate (1%) and 3% of a soy protein hydrolysate was compared against the soy diet (4%); and in comparison 3 the diet containing animal protein hydrolysate (1%) was compared against the SDPP diet (4%). Feed intake was registered daily during 7 days after weaning. The percentage of preference (%) was calculated as the accumulated intake of the tested diet divided by the total intake.
During the whole period no preference for SDPP diet (46.3%) compared to the soy diet was observed. Contrarily, the animal protein hydrolysate diet was significantly preferred to the soy diet from day 4 (59%; P<0.05) until day 7 (65.4%; P<0.05). Choice for the animal protein hydrolysate diet was numerically higher compared to the SDPP diet (58%) but differences failed to reach statistical significance.
These results suggest that the palatability of a post-weaning diet can be improved by incorporating a 1% of an animal protein hydrolysate.
D Martinez-Puig, M Anguita, F Baucells, E Borda, JF Pérez and C Chetrit. 2007. Journal of Animal Science. 85, Suppl.1: 310-311
