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The group of medium-chain fatty acids (mcfa) comprises monocarboxylic fatty acids containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms. These are: caproic (c6), caprylic (c8), capric (c10), and lauric (c12) acids. They can be partly absorbed already through the stomach mucosa. Their triacylglycerols (mcT) can be absorbed intact into intestinal epithelial enterocytes and then hydrolysed by microsomal lipases. Thus they are a readily available source of energy, capable of improving the intestinal epithelial mucosal structure. They are also characterised by strong antibacterial activity due to their ability to penetrate the semi-permeable membranes of bacteria and damage their internal structures. Thanks to these properties, they could be a good supplement to weaned piglet feed. They improve piglet performance and can be used as feed antibiotic replacers.

the possibility of replacing soybean meal with a mixture of legume seeds and rapeseed press cake (rpc) was evaluated on 60 pigs weighing about 30 kg at the beginning of the experiment. pigs were allocated to 5 experimental groups. group i (control) received standard feed mixture containing soybean meal as a main protein source. next groups received rapeseed press cake (rpc) mixed with fodder pea (Pisum sativum var. Ramrod) -group II, field bean (Vicia faba var. kasztelan) -group iii, blue lupin (Lupinus angustifolius var. regent) -group iV or yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus var. mister) -group V. soybean protein was replaced by experimental protein sources at about 30% in grower (17% legumes, 13% rapeseed press cake) and at 100% in finisher diets (experimental proteins in equal ratio accounted for about 55% of mixture protein). Limited feeding was used, water was available ad libitum. Half the animals in each group received mixtures supplemented with fibrolytic enzymes Ronozyme VP and Ronozyme WX. Apparent digestibility of feed nutrients was estimated using the balance method on 30 fatteners not used in the fattening experiment, weighing about 40 kg for grower and 70 kg for finisher diets. Gross composition of legume seeds and rpc, amino acid composition of their protein, glucosinolate content in rpc and tannin content in faba bean and alkaloids in lupins were analysed. carcass traits and meat quality were also estimated. Legume protein content ranged from 19.6% (pea) to 39.8% (yellow lupin). RPC protein contained more sulphur amino acids than legume protein. There was no significant difference in protein and fat digestibility. body weight gains of fatteners fed with blue lupin were comparable to controls but significantly lower than those of the remaining groups. Supplemental enzymes improved body weight gains of fatteners receiving field bean. There was no significant difference in carcass traits and meat quality except for sensory analysis. it is concluded that the mixture of rpc and legume seeds can replace soybean meal in fattener feed. key words: legume seeds, rapeseed press cake, pig fattening, feed enzymes Soybean meal is the most popular protein source in pig feeding. Other legumes: pea, field bean, lupins and also rape grown in Central and Eastern Europe are less *This study was financed from statutory activity No. 05-2.01.1.Brought to you by | MIT Libraries Authenticated Download Date | 5/11/18 4:03 PM

Effects of a diet supplemented with caprylic and/or capric acid on piglet performance, apparent digestibility of nutrients, intestinal microflora and small intestine (ileum) structure were investigated. The experiment was performed on 252 piglets (24 litters) allocated to 4 experimental groups (6 litters each). The animals were fed with a standard feed mixture (control) or the same mixture supplemented with 2 g of caprylic or capric acid (groups C 8 and C 10 , respectively) per 1 kg of feed. Group C 8 +C 10 received 1 g of caprylic and 1 g of capric acid. Apparent digestibility was estimated using Cr 2 O 3 as an indicator, while microbiological analyses were performed using standard agar plates. The short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content of the ileum and caecum digesta was analysed using Varian 340 analyzer. The piglets receiving caprylic or capric acids grew significantly (P<0.01) faster than the control ones (average daily gains during the whole experiment, i.e. between days 1 and 84 of age, were: 288, 269, 278 and 234 g, respectively). The best feed utilization (1.3 kg per kg) was found in animals receiving caprylic acid. The acids also lowered piglet mortality, while significantly increased protein digestibility (P<0.01) and, to a lesser degree (P<0.05), also fibre digestibility. There was no significant difference in acidity of the digesta between control and experimental groups. Capric acid increased the amount of aerobic bacteria as compared to the control group, but the amount of Escherichia coli remained unchanged. The population of Clostridium perfringens was reduced by both caprylic and capric acids (P<0.01). Acids had no effect on SCFA content of the ileum but lowered the acetic acid content of the caecum digesta. Capric acid had the strongest effect on villi, which were significantly higher (306 μm) than in the control group (233 μm). Differences 557 HANCZAKOWSKA E. ET AL.in crypt depth were smaller but the crypts were also the deepest in piglets receiving capric acid. The results suggest that caprylic and capric acids added to the feed improve piglet performance, probably due to positive changes in the mucosal epithelium structure of the ileum.