The Addition of an Acid Protease Improved the Digestibility of Crude Protein and Amino Acids of Soybean Meal, but Not of Corn, in Piglets

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate two proteases (P1 and P2) on the apparent and standardized ileal digestibility (AID and SID, respectively), of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AAs) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and gross energy (GE) of corn and soybean meal, with 46% and 48% CP, in pigs by the index method. Ninety crossbred castrated male piglets (13.52 ± 1.96 kg body weight) were fed a nitrogen-free diet, or diets containing corn or soybean meal as the sole sources of CP and AAs, supplemented or not with 0.05% of P1 or 0.01% of P2, an acid protease. Treatment differences were considered statistically significant at <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05. The inclusion of proteases in corn and of P1 in soybean meal diets did not improve the digestibility of nutrients and energy. Otherwise, the addition of P2, an acid protease, in soybean meal diets increased (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) the AID and SID of Lys, Met, Phe, Ala, Cys, and Glu, and the respective digestible AA values, from 7.5% to 22%, compared to soybean meal without proteases. The use of the acid protease can be an important tool to enhance the digestibility of the AAs of soybean meal in piglets.