PSI-14 Effects of replacing molasses with MSG-CMS on growth performance and economics in growing-finishing pigs.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing molasses in growing-finishing pig diets with Mono-Sodium Glutamate (MSG)-Condensed Molasses Soluble (CMS) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, fecal microbiota, and economic efficiency. Furthermore, the study aimed to determine the optimal substitution ratio of molasses with MSG-CMS in the diet. Experiment 1, a total of 100 crossbred growing-finishing pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] (initial body weight 23.17 ± 3.51 kg) were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments for 14 weeks. The treatments consisted of: (1) PC (basal diet with 2% molasses), (2) NC (basal diet without molasses and MSG-CMS), (3) T1 (basal diet with 1.5% molasses + 0.5% MSG-CMS), (4) T2 (basal diet with 1% molasses + 1% MSG-CMS), and (5) T3 (basal diet with 2% MSG-CMS). Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, fecal microbiota, and economic efficiency were assessed. Average daily gain (ADG) in the T1 was higher than that in the T3 (p < 0.05). ADFI in the T3 was lower, and ADFI in the T1 and the T2 was higher than that in the other groups throughout the trial period (p < 0.05). No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, or fecal microbiota. Economically, the T1 showed higher total weight gain and lower feed cost per kg gain than the NC and T3 groups during the growing phase (p < 0.05). Experiment 2, a total of 5 crossbred growing-finishing pigs (initial body weight 36.84 ± 0.51 kg) were used in a 5-week metabolism trial based on a 5 × 5 Latin square design to investigate the effects of MSG-CMS on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilization. The T1 had higher gross energy digestibility than the T3 (p < 0.05). Fecal nitrogen excretion was lower in the T1 and NC than in the T2 (p < 0.05), while the T2 had higher total nitrogen excretion than the NC (p < 0.05). Replacing molasses with MSG-CMS does not have a negative impact on growing-finishing pigs. To achieve improvements in productivity and nutrient digestibility, along with economic benefits, replacing 25% of the molasses in growing-finishing pig diets with MSG-CMS appears to be the most suitable ratio.