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METHODS TO REDUCE NITROGEN POLLUTION IN SWINE FARMS BY USING SYNTETIC AMINO ACIDS AND VOLCANIC TUFF

Monica Marin, Carmen Georgeta Nicolae, Georgeta Dinita, Elena Pogurschi

Abstract

Pig breeding is a profitable activity for small and large farms, being currently influenced in an increasing extent, by the international competition in this area. As a result, pig breeders must keep pace with changing technologies and production techniques to maintain the competitiveness of their farms. Also, it is necessary to take into account the new European regulations, particularly those relating to the environmental protection, the comfort of animal and food safety. The objective of this paper represents the analysis of the possibility of reducing toxic emissions in swine farms using volcanic tuff and reducing the protein content of compound feed recipes, given that the essential amino acids (lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan) were maintained at relatively constant levels through the addition of synthetic amino acids. The experiments were conducted over 25 days on a total of 90 Large White breed pigs at the growing fattening period, which had an average weight of 43 kg. The protein level of the compound feed recipes administered in the food of the two experimental batches was of 16.56% and 15.79%, being reduced from that of the control batch (17.50%). The two compound feed recipes were supplemented with synthetic amino acids represented by L-lysine, DL-methionine, L-threonine and L-tryptophan, given that energy level was constant at all three batches. Also in the compound feed recipes administered to the experimental batches was added the volcanic tuff at a rate of 2% and 4% respectively. In terms of productive performances was noted at the experimental batches a slight decrease in the average daily gain, an increase in average daily feed intake, which made the specific consumption to grow, but the differences were not significant. There has been an increase in backfat thickness at the experimental batches, although the energy level of the compound feed was maintained constant (approximately 3100 kcal ME/kg). This would be a negative aspect, as the consumer of pork meat requires a low-fat meat and with appropriate organoleptic, nutritional, hygienic and technological qualities. At the end of the experimental period there was a decrease in the amount of nitrogen removed by faeces and urine in the case of compound feed consumption with low levels of protein, while the proportion of nitrogen retained in the body of pigs was relatively close at the three experimental batches, which would suggest that the addition of essential amino acids may influence the protein metabolism in the body. It found a slight increase in the dry matter content of faeces, which made the manure volume to decrease due to lower water content. In conclusion, it can be stated that the use of synthetic amino acids in combination with volcanic tuff can be a solution for reducing pollutants from pigs manure.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgem2017/51/s20.087

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