Digestibility, performance and economic efficiency of diets containing phytase and distillers dried grains with solubles for growing pigs

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of phytase enzyme and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on the digestibility, performance and economic viability of growing pigs. Two experiments were conducted with a reference diet (RD) based on corn and soybean meal: RD with 200 g kg -1 DDGS (DDGS); RD + 1,000 units of phytase (PHY); and RD + 200 g kg-1 DDGS + 1,000 units of phytase (D+P). In experiment 1, eight castrated male pigs weighing 29.35 ± 5.74 kg were used through the total collection method and replicates in time for digestibility evaluation. In experiment 2, 40 castrated male pigs 47.65 ± 3.99 kg, with five replicates of two animals per experimental unit, were used for performance and economic evaluation. DDGS increased the excretion of nitrogen and energy in feces and urine, impairing the digestibility coefficients and metabolizability of dietary energy. The animals that consumed diets with DDGS presented the worst performance, while phytase did not influence the results. Diets with the inclusion of 200 g kg -1 DDGS and 1,000 units of phytase did not differ in cost per kilogram compared to the control diet.