Measurements of the acid binding capacity of ingredients used in Diets for starter pigs

Abstract

Starter diets of low acid binding capacity (ABC) are sometimes recommended to ensure an acidic environment in the stomach of newly weaned pigs. A low stomach pH aids protein digestion and provides a barrier against the passage of bacteria into the small intestine. A diet of low ABC can be formulated through careful selection of ingredients (Jasaitis et al., 1987). The present study was undertaken to measure the ABC of feed ingredients commonly used in pig starter feeds and to determine if diet ABC can be predicted from the ABC of the ingredients.