Effect of β-glucan Extracted from Youngji Mushroom on the Growth Performance of Weaning Pigs

This experiment was selected a β-glucan producing mushroom strain and developed industrial media, and used to β-glucan as an alternative for antibiotics in weaned pigs. Yields of mycelial biomass and extracellular β-glucan from Youngji (Ganoderma lucidum) mushroom was 8.52g/L and 4.49g/L respectively. Also, we prepared optimum formula for mushroom cultivations. A total of 144 pigs (8.6±0.9 kg average body weight, weaned 20±3 days of age) were allotted to 4 different treatment groups and replicated 4 times with 8 pigs per replicate in randomized complete block design. Treatments were T1) NC (negative control, basal diet), T2) PC (positive control, basal diet+0.255% antibiotics), T3) NC+0.2% β-glucan and T4) PC+0.2% β-glucan. The T2 and T4 treatments were significantly higher in feed efficiency by antibiotics group (p less than 0.05), however, there was no significant differences in terms of average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) during phase Ⅰ(0~14 days). In phase Ⅱ(15~28 days), Pigs fed with antibiotics and β-glucan (T4) had greater ADG than other treatments (p less than 0.05), while no differences were observed in ADFI and feed efficiency. During the whole experiment period, the ADG of T4 treatment was higher than other treatments. Pigs fed with β-glucan (T3 and T4) had greater diarrhea score and moisture content than other treatments (p less than 0.05). Pigs fed with β-glucan (T3 and T4) had greater moisture content than other treatments (p less than 0.05). However, there was no significant differences in diarrhea score and mortality of weaned pigs. There was marginal reductions in feed cost measured feed cost per weight gain used in antibiotics and β-glucan added diet during phase Ⅰ. In the second phase, the treatment supplemented with antibiotics had a significantly lower feed cost per weight gain compared to the other treatments. The results from these experiments suggests that β-glucan is likely able to improve the growth performance, and reduce feed cost although they do not have similar effects like antibiotics in weaning pigs.