Pig performance increases with the addition of dl-methionine and l-lysine to ensiled cassava leaf protein diets

Abstract

Two studies were conducted to determine the impact of supplementation of diets containing ensiled cassava leaves as the main protein source with synthetic amino acids, dl-methionine alone or with L-lysine. In study 1, a total of 40 pigs in five units, all cross-breds between Large White and Mong Cai, with an average initial body weight of 20.5 kg were randomly assigned to four treatments consisting of a basal diet containing 45% of dry matter (DM) from ensiled cassava leaves (ECL) and ensiled cassava root supplemented with 0%, 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.15% dl-methionine (as DM). Results showed a significantly improved performance and protein gain by extra methionine. This reduced the feed cost by 2.6%, 7.2% and 7.5%, respectively. In study 2, there were three units and in each unit eight cross-bred (Large White × Mong Cai) pigs with an initial body weight of 20.1 kg were randomly assigned to the four treatments. The four diets were as follows: a basal diet containing 15% ECL (as DM) supplemented with different amounts of amino acids l-lysine and dl-methionine to the control diet. The results showed that diets with 15% of DM as ECL with supplementation of 0.2% lysine +0.1% dl-methionine and 0.1% lysine +0.05% dl-methionine at the 20–50 kg and above 50 kg, respectively, resulted in the best performance, protein gain and lowest costs for cross-bred (Large White × Mong Cai) pigs. Ensiled cassava leaves can be used as a protein supplement for feeding pigs provided the diets contain additional amounts of synthetic lysine and methionine.

The effects of dietary sulfur amino acids on growth performance, intestinal morphology, enzyme activity, and nutrient transporters in weaning piglets1

“…Dry DL-Met or liquid DL-Met hydroxy analog-free acids are frequently used in basal diets to optimize the growth performance of pigs (Matthews et al, 2001;Kim et al, 2006;Ettle et al, 2010;Kaewtapee et al, 2010Kaewtapee et al, , 2016Ly et al, 2012;Krutthai et al, 2015). This response might be attributed to an increase in the rate of feed conversion (Kim et al, 2006;Kaewtapee et al, 2010Kaewtapee et al, , 2016Ly et al, 2012). Similar to those earlier studies, we found here that dietary supplementation with SAA (via DL-Met) improved G:F in our weaning piglets.…”

“…The Met is commonly provided when feeding piglets because it is the second limiting amino acid in typical diets. Dry DL-Met or liquid DL-Met hydroxy analog-free acids are frequently used in basal diets to optimize the growth performance of pigs (Matthews et al, 2001;Kim et al, 2006;Ettle et al, 2010;Kaewtapee et al, 2010Kaewtapee et al, , 2016Ly et al, 2012;Krutthai et al, 2015). This response might be attributed to an increase in the rate of feed conversion (Kim et al, 2006;Kaewtapee et al, 2010Kaewtapee et al, , 2016Ly et al, 2012).…”

Cyanogenic, carotenoids and protein composition in leaves and roots across seven diverse population found in the world cassava germplasm collection at CIAT, Colombia

“…The level of essential amino acid variation observed in the leaves of 178 Latin American landraces opens the opportunity for cassava breeders to further increase these levels; thus, cassava leaves could become a high value vegetable‐based protein source for animal feed. Cassava leaf crude protein has more essential amino acids than soybeans (Montagnac et al ., 2009); thus, targeting high lysine and methionine levels in the total crude protein content in cassava leaves could improve fat and protein deposition in pigs (Ly et al ., 2012).…”

Forage plants as an alternative feed resource for sustainable pig production in the tropics: a review

“…This means that, combined with a methionine-rich source, the inclusion rate of cassava could be revised upwards. Indeed, supplementing M. esculenta leaves with 0.2% methionine, a sulphur-containing AA essential among others in the detoxication pathway of HCN, as mentioned previously, increased the ADG of indigenous pigs from 540 to 712 g (Hang et al, 2009;Ly et al, 2012). Daily weight gains were increased from 482 to 536 g when lysine was added to a diet containing I. batatas leaves .…”