Abstract

PEREZ ALVARADO, María Alejandra et al. Benzoic acid and a product based on Bacillus species to protect piglet productivity and the environment. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2013, vol.4, n.4, pp.447-468. ISSN 2448-6698.

The compatibility of benzoic acid (ABZ) and Bacillus species (BAC), in productive response of weaned piglets, and environmental impact was examined. In Assay 1, 180 weaned piglets were used during 42 d. Treatments resulted from the factorial arrangement (2x2) of ABZ (0 or 5 kg/kg) and BAC (0 or 0.50 kg/t) in a randomized complete block design. Feed intake and weight gain were recorded weekly, and wastewater was collected to measure pH, N, NH₃, coliforms, BAC, and water waste. In the Assay 2, in a commercial farm, productive performance was recorded from 384 weaned piglets in two treatments: a program of traditional medication, and a simplified, reduced antibiotics, program with the use of ABZ and BAC. The results from Assay 1 showed ABZ effects on body weight gain and feed efficiency (13 and 9.5 %; P<0.005); in waste water reduced (P<0.001) pH and the total coliforms count. The ABZ didn't hindered BAC germination, and their combined use interacted (P<0.08) increasing the capture of NH₃. The use of BAC is also justified given the reduction (P<0.001) in water consumption. In Essay 2, ABZ and BAC reached the same (P>0.15) productive response than the obtained with the antibiotics. Benzoic acid is a resource to protect weaned piglets growth and to reduce body weight variation during finishing; being then an alternative to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, in combination with BAC reduces NH3 production and the consumption of water.

Keywords : Growth; Environmental protection; Antibiotics; Water consumption; Ammonia; Pigs.