Effects of fermentable carbohydrates and low dietary phosphorus supply on the chemical composition of faecal bacteria and microbial metabolites in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs

Summary The objective was to determine the effects of fermentable carbohydrates on phosphorus (P) metabolism, the chemical composition of the faecal mixed bacterial mass (MBM) and the microbial activity in the large intestine (LI) of pigs. Eight barrows (mean BW 35.9 ± 0.9 kg), fitted with simple T-cannulas at the terminal ileum, were either fed a low-P corn–soybean meal-based control diet or 75% of the control diet supplemented with 25% cellulose, starch or pectin according to a 4 × 3 Latin Square design. Both pectin and cellulose caused higher faecal than ileal P recoveries. Ileal volatile fatty acids (VFA) levels were more pronounced for the starch (p