ABSTRACT
This study aimed to evaluate the microbial fermentation patterns of the pig ceca using the technique of in vitro gas production for ruminants. Three types of inoculums were used: swine ceca raised in a free range system (CSF), swine ceca raised in a conventional confined system (CSC) and bovine rumen fluid (LRB). The substrates used were derived from pig's diet with soybean meal and corn grits, according to the nutritional requirements of swine. The substrates were composed by different set levels of substitution of basal diet by meal almond Acrocomia aculeata (AA), as: BAS - 100% of basal diet; M10 - 90% of basal diet and 10% AA (M10); M20 - 80% of basal diet and 20% AA (M20) and TF - Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon spp.).The gas production was evaluated at times 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 16, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after incubation. The study analyzed the maximum potential of gas production (A) and lag time (L). The experimental design was completely randomized in a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement. The A and L data were submitted to analysis of variance and the averages compared by Tukey 5% test. Comparing the inoculum for A (ml / gDM), LRB, and CS, they showed similar values, differing only for TF. The lag time (L) between inoculum, the CSC and CSF had the lowest colonization times when the meal was BAS. With M10 and M20 substrates, the LRB inoculum showed the lowest time, CSF had the longest time and CSC did not differ from both. There was no significant difference between the inoculum for TF substrate. The gas production technique used for the ceca of pigs showed similar results to those for ruminants. The mathematical model used was adequate to describe the fermentation curve in the ceca of pigs, showing similarities between the microbiota of the ceca and the rumen.
Keywords:
alternative feeds; dietary fiber; fermentation potential
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