Medycyna Wet. 63 (7), 792-795, 2007
Grela E. R., Klebaniuk R.
Chemical composition of garlic preparations and their utilization in piglet diets
The aim of these investigations was to determine the influence of garlic powder additives on gains, feed intake and conversion, and some biochemical blood parameters of piglets. The investigations were carried out on 419 piglets from 36 sows, assigned randomly to 6 groups. The piglets of group I received the basal diets without antimicrobial growth promoters (AGP) and group II received the basal diets with AGP additive. The animals of experimental groups (III – VI) received the same diets as group I, but supplemented with lyophilized garlic powder in doses of 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 or 10.0 g per kg diet in groups III – VI, respectively. Piglets were weaned at 28 days of age. From the second week of age until 28th day after weaning, the piglets were fed a commercial Prestarter mixture ad libitum. Body weight was measured individually at birth, at the weaning period, and at the end of the trial (56th day of life). Feed intake by piglets was recorded weekly for litters in each pen. Blood samples were collected at weaning (28 th day) and on day 56 after birth, and contents of protein, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and blood urea nitrogen were determined. The garlic bulbs and garlic powder were analyzed for alliin and allicin concentrations. Powder from lyophilized garlic clover additive, especially in 5 or 10 g/kg mixtures, may constitute a recommended dietary component for raising piglets up to 56 days of life. This procedure, an alternative for AGP use, improves body weight gains, decreases piglet losses as well as triglycerides and total cholesterol concentration in blood plasma.
Keywords: garlic preparation, piglets