Nutritional characterization of tannin rich chestnut (Castanea) and its meal for pig

Abstract

This study was conducted to estimate the nutritional values of different parts of chestnut and the effects of chestnut meal on feed intake, nutrient digestibility and blood metabolites in pig. Nutritionally, chestnut kernel was found as the best considering the highest crude protein and energy content, highest dry matter and protein digestibility and absence of tannin in it. In the animal experiment, 16 pigs were selected and randomly allocated in one of four dietary treatments in which chestnut meal replaced 0, 5, 10 and 15% of dry matter with basal diet, and housed individually into a metabolic cage for 21 days. Dry matter and crude protein intakes were highest (p < 0.05) in 10% supplementation. Digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude ash and tannin decreased linearly (p < 0.05) with increasing chestnut meal supplementation. Considering feed intake and digestibility, supplementation of chestnut meal at 5% for pig could be suggested.