Effect of rapeseed meal on the gut microbiota composition and function of growing finishing pigs

Rapeseed by-products are sustainable and environment friendly alternatives to soybean meal to be used in the diet of production animals. These ingredients may lead to a reduction in nutrient utilization and growth performance in pigs. On the other hand, dietary fibers act as substrate for gut microbiota in host and may affect the host favorably, contributing to maintenance of gut health and enhancement of general well-being. Previously, we have investigated the effect of high-fiber rapeseed diet on gut microbiota of weaner pigs and reported the potential of high-fiber rapeseed-based diet to modulate the gut microbiota in a beneficial way for the weaner piglets (Umu et al., 2018). In this study, we examined how the gut microbiota of growing finishing pigs respond to rapeseed meal-based diet after a three-month feeding treatment compared to soybean meal-based diet.