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This study aimed to evaluate the interaction between creatine monohydrate (CMH) and standardized ileal digestible (SID) methionine + cysteine (Met+Cys) in finishing pig diets on the performance, carcass traits, pork quality, blood biochemistry, gene expression of creatine transporter and muscle antioxidant action. Forty gilts, averaging 75.26±0.87 kg of initial weight, were distributed in a randomized blocks design, arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial scheme, consisting of two dietary CMH supplementation (0 and 0.10%) and two SID Met+Cys levels (0.40 and 0.44%), with 10 replicates and one animal per experimental unit. There was no interaction between CMH and SID Met+Cys on the performance and SLC6A8 gene expression (P>0.05). However, interactions were observed for the backfat thickness at P3 (P=0.004), drip water loss (DL) (P=0.018), thawing water loss (TL) (P=0.042) and plasma creatinine concentration (P=0.03). Supplementation with CMH provided low fat deposition at P3 point. Diets with the lowest SID Met+Cys level (0.40%) and containing CMH (0.10%) presented the highest water losses (DL and TL). Plasma creatinine concentration was lower in pigs receiving diets with 0.10% CMH than those not receiving, but only in diets containing 0.44% SID Met+Cys. In addition, 0.44% SID Met+Cys increased the percentage of inhibition of the DPPH radical (P=0.022). The effects of supplementing 0.10% CMH in finishing pig diets are evident on pork quality by using adequate levels of SID Met+Cys, which also assist in preventing the oxidative lipid damage in the Longissimus dorsi muscle.

It was aimed to simultaneously study standardized ileal digestible (SID) tryptophan (Trp) and lysine (Lys) for gilts. A digestibility assay was previously conducted to determine the SID amino acid in the basal diet (low levels of SID Trp and Lys). Sixty-four gilts (15.04 ± 1.44 kg) were allotted to 16 diets in a 4 × 4 factorial arrangement (1.55, 1.85, 2.15 and 2.45 g/kg SID Trp and 9.72, 11.12, 12.52 and 13.92 g/kg SID Lys) with four replicates per treatment. Performance, longissimus muscle (LM), backfat thickness (BF) and blood variables were evaluated. An interaction was observed for G:F, and by response surface model, the optimum Trp level was achieved at 2.15 g/kg (0.159 g/MJ of ME). A quadratic effect of Trp was observed on body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG); the daily feed intake increased linearly as Trp increased. The optimum Trp levels of 2.25 and 2.24 g/kg were estimated for BW and ADG, respectively. The BF increased with increasing levels of Trp. There was a quadratic and linear effect of Trp and Lys, respectively, on the LM, in which the optimum Trp level was determined as 2.05 g/kg in the diet. Plasma urea nitrogen decreased as Trp and Lys levels increased. Using estimates provided by response surface, maximized G:F ratio was obtained at 2.15 g SID Trp/kg of diet and at least 13.92 g SID Lys/kg of diet is necessary to optimize the G:F for 15–30 kg gilts, providing a Trp:Lys ratio of 15.4:100.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary creatine and SID methionine+cysteine (Met+Cys) levels on the performance, blood parameters and gene expression of the creatine transporter (SLC6A8) in finishing gilts. Forty gilts, averaging 75.26 ± 0.87 kg of initial weight, were distributed in a randomized blocks design in a 2x2 factorial scheme, consisting of two creatine monohydrate (CMH) supplementation levels (0.00 and 0.10%) and two levels of SID Met+Cys (0.40 and 0.44%, considering 0.44% as the requirement), with 10 replicates. DL methionine was used to ensure the dietary SID Met+Cys levels. Upon reaching a mean weight of 100± 5.85, blood was collected for the determination of urea, creatinine, lactate, glucose and homocysteine plasma concentrations. Afterwards, the gilts were slaughtered for the collection of Longissimus dorsi muscle samples, for further determination of the gene expression of the creatine transporter (SLC6A8). No interactions (P > 0.05) we observed between the CMH and SID Met+Cys on the performance and gene expression of the SLC6A8 transporter, and also were not affected (P > 0.05) by the dietary levels of CMH or SID Met+Cys, individually. However, there was an interaction (P = 0.03) between SID Met+Cys and CMH levels on the plasma creatinine concentration, showing a lower (P = 0.018) concentration (6.40 mg/dL) supplementing 0.10% CMH than not supplementing (8.96 mg/dL), only at 0.44% of SID Met+Cys. There were no interactions (P > 0.05) between SID Met+Cys and CMH on the other blood parameters, and also no individual effects were observed for the studied factors. It is concluded that supplementing 0.10% CMH reduced plasma creatinine concentration only at conventionally dietary SID Met+Cys level (0.44%), not affecting other blood parameters, growth performance and the gene expression of the creatine transporter SLC6A8 of finishing gilts.

Two experiments were performed to determine the digestibility of diets with crude protein (CP) reduction supplemented with amino acids (18.15, 17.15, 16.15 and 15.15%) to growing pigs (30–50 kg), to assess the use of nutrients and account for the manure excretion, and to evaluate the performance, backfat thickness, Longissimus lumborum depth, and plasma urea, aiming to evaluate the environmental impact through life cycle assessment (LCA), for the first time in Brazil interacting experiments were developed to evaluate the CP reduction and LCA. The CP reduction resulted in greater daily weight gain (p = 0.011), final weight (p = 0.020), better use of N and P, through the greater N and P retained (p = 0.003 and p = 0.017, respectively). There was a linear reduction in acidification potential (p = 0.015), eutrophication potential (p = 0.001), and land occupation (p = 0.005) when dietary CP decreased from 18.15 to 15.15%. The reduction in CP and supplementation of amino acids in diets for growing pigs (30–50 kg) improved final and daily weight gain. Through LCA, and performance and metabolism data, it was concluded that for the acidification, eutrophication and land occupation categories, impacts were reduced as the protein concentration was reduced.

Tryptophan (Trp) is involved in regulation of animal behaviour, since it originates serotonin and melatonin, especially in low crude protein diets, and Trp metabolism requires B6 vitamin (B6) as enzymatic cofactor. The objective of this study was to feed low protein diets with different levels of standardized ileal digestible (SID) Trp and B6 for barrows and gilts (70–100 kg) and to measure day-night behaviour, performance and carcass traits. In experiment 1 (Exp. 1) sixty four barrows (initial BW = 70.77 ± 2.07 kg) were used, and in experiment 2 (Exp. 2) sixty four gilts (initial BW = 70.52 ± 2.95 kg) were used. In both experiments a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement of treatments was used: two B6 levels (1 and 5 mg kg −1 ) and four levels of SID Trp (Exp. 1: 0.130, 0.155, 0.180, 0.205%; and Exp. 2: 0.140, 0.167, 0.194, 0.221%). Day-night behaviour was recorded at the end of weeks 1, 2 and 3 (days 7, 14 and 21) during 24 h. Scan-sampling was used to determine time-budget behaviour. Growth performance and carcass traits were measured at the end of the experimental period, when animals reached about 100 kg BW (in average 26 days). In Exp. 1 (barrows), stationary behaviour in daytime period (from 6:00 h to 18:00 h) increased quadratically ( P = 0.005) as Trp content in diets increased from 0.130 to 0.165%, but it decreased until 0.205% of SID Trp. Interacting behaviour in night-time period (from 18:00 h to 6:00 h) was affected by B6 ( P = 0.031). Sleeping behaviour decreased linearly ( P = 0.003) as Trp content in diets increased from 0.130 to 0.205% and feeding behaviour showed quadratic response ( P = 0.008) to SID Trp (0.161%). In Exp. 2 (gilts) sleeping behaviour in daytime period decreased quadratically ( P = 0.001) as SID Trp content in diets increased from 0.140 to 0.179%, but it decreased until 0.221% of SID Trp. Feeding behaviour was affected by the interaction Trp × B6 ( P = 0.030) as supplementary B6 (5 mg kg −1 ) decreased visits to feeder up to 0.194% Trp content. Sleeping behaviour in night-time period was affected by the interaction Trp × B6 ( P = 0.030) once supplementary B6 (5 mg kg −1 ) markedly decreased time spent sleeping when compared to basal B6 (1 mg kg −1 ) as Trp levels increased in diets. Feeding behaviour responded quadratically ( P = 0.001) to Trp (0.173%). In both experiments performance variables and carcass traits were not different ( P > 0.05) neither for Trp nor B6. SID Trp levels from 0.130 to 0.205% (barrows) and 0.140 to 0.221% (gilts) even as B6 content (1 or 5 mg kg −1 ) in diets had no consistent effects on behaviour and did not alter performance of pigs.

Supplementary tryptophan in pig diets has shown improvement in carcass traits and pork quality by reducing the animals' response to stress at slaughter. Vitamin B6 could enhance this response since it acts as an enzymatic cofactor of many tryptophan pathways. The present experiment was designed to evaluate dietary vitamin B6 supplementation and tryptophan levels on carcass traits, organ weights, abdominal fat, and pork quality of 70–100 kg gilts. Sixty-four crossbred gilts (initial bodyweight (BW) 70.52 ± 2.95 kg) were distributed in a 2 x 4 factorial scheme, consisting of two supplementary vitamin B6 levels (1 and 5 mg kg -1 ) and four dietary standardized ileal digestible (SID) tryptophan (Trp) levels (0.140%, 0.167%, 0.194%, and 0.221%). No significant interactions between the dietary SID Trp levels and B6 supplementation were observed on these variables. Vitamin B6 supplementation (5 mg kg -1 ) showed a minor reduction in meat pH measured 24 hours after slaughter and resulted in a ham yield higher than B6 basal level (1 mg kg -1 ). The lean meat yield increased linearly as the SID Trp levels increased in the diet. These findings suggested that vitamin B6 supplementation enhanced the pork quality and the increasing levels of SID tryptophan enhanced the lean meat yield of 70–100 kg gilts. Keywords : Carcass yield, meat colour, organ weight

Two experiments were carried out in Paraná State, Brazil, to evaluate the nutritional value of passion fruit seed meal (PFM) and to study the effect of PFM on growth performance, carcass, and blood characteristics in starter pigs (Topigs 20 × Tybor). In experiment 1, 25 castrated males, averaging 19.1-kg body weight, were individually fed in a completely randomized block design, consisting of five treatments and five replicates and an experimental period that lasted 14 days. In experiment 2, a total of 60 pigs (30 females and 30 castrated males) were distributed in a randomized block design with five treatments, six replications, and two animals per experimental unit and 90 days of experimentation. For both experiments, the same PFM inclusion rates were used in the experimental diets, namely, 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 %. The metabolizable energy of PFM was estimated to be 15.0 MJ/kg. Inclusion of PFM at any level did not affect average daily gain, daily feed intake, feed/gain ratio, backfat thickness, loin depth, and plasma or blood components. It is concluded that passion fruit seed meal for swine in the starting phase can be added at a rate of up to 16 % in the diet without any negative effects on growth performance, carcass, and blood characteristics in starter commercial line pigs.

This study aimed to evaluate, through life cycle assessment and using experimental data, the environmental impacts of growing pigs’ production (30 to 50 kg) fed diets with reduced crude protein (CP) levels, and supplemented with industrial amino acids. Experiment I (nitrogen and phosphorus balance): 20 crossbred barrows, averaging 31.80 ± 2.39 kg of initial body weight, were housed in metabolic cages and allotted in a randomized block design with four treatments, five replicates and one animal per experimental unit. Experiment II (performance): 44 crossbred barrows, averaging 30.10 ± 0.63 kg of initial body weight, were housed in a randomized block design, with four treatments, 11 replicates and one animal per experimental unit. The treatments for both experiments consisted of four diets containing 18.15, 17.15, 16.15 and 15.15% of CP, and supplemented with industrial amino acids, in order to meet the pig’s requirements of SID amino acids. According to the obtained data (Experiments I and II), the environmental impacts for global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AC), eutrophication potential (EU), cumulative energy demand (CED), terrestrial ecotoxicity (TE) and land occupation (LO), per kg of body weight gain, were calculated (CML 2001 method). There was a reduction in some studied environmental impacts as the dietary CP reduced from 18.15 to 15.15%, observing a reduction in the AC from 35.34 to 31.58 g SO2-eq (P = 0.015), there was also a reduction in the EU from 11.90 to 10.31 g PO4-eq (P = 0.001), and the LO was reduced from 2.15 to 1.89 m2-year (P = 0.005), respectively. GWP, CED and TE were not affected (P > 0.05) by the dietary CP reduction, although some variations were observed. It was concluded that the dietary CP reduction, supplementing with industrial amino acids, may help to mitigate the environmental impacts caused by growing pig production for the AC, EU and LO categories.

Dehydrated citrus pulp (DCP) contains limiting amount of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), probably due to the high content of fiber components and phytic acid. The use of fibrolytic enzymatic complexes could favor the use of DCP in piglets’ diets. Thus, the objective of this work was to determine the balance of P and N in weaned piglets fed diets with increasing levels of DCP, with or without the addition of exogenous enzymes. Forty castrated male piglets with average initial weight of 7.85 ± 1.64 kg were individually distributed in metabolic cages, in a factorial scheme (2x4): with or without exogenous enzymatic complex (carbohydrases + phytase) X levels of DCP inclusion (0, 3, 6 and 9%) to the diets, with five replicates per treatment and one animal per experimental unit. Diets were formulated based on corn, soybean meal, powdered milk, powdered whey, sugar, soybean oil, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and additives. Experimental diets were provided for 12 d with the initial 7 d being the adaptation period. Ferric oxide (Fe2O3) was added as an indigestible marker on d 7 and 11, respectively. P and N in diets, feces and urine were determined for P and N balance calculation. There was no interaction (P> 0.05) between the addition of enzymes and the levels of DCP. However, there was a reduction (P= 0.067) of P excreted in the feces by the addition of enzymes, as well as a reduction (P= 0.028) of N excreted in the feces. Increasing DCP levels in diets resulted in a linear increase (P= 0.046) of N excreted in feces and a linear reduction (P= 0.038) of N absorbed. The addition of exogenous enzymes (carbohydrases and phytase) in diets for weaned piglets reduces fecal excretion of P and N, while DCP inclusion increases the N excretion in feces.