Influence of Bacillus licheniformis B4 fermentation on soybean meal nutritional value and early weaned pig growth performance

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to examine B4's fermentation efficiency and the growth performance of newly weaned pigs fed B4 fermented soybean meal (B4-FSBM). Method and results: Soybean meal (SBM) was inoculated with B4 and fermented at room temperature for 48 hours. Following fermentation, analysis was performed to examine anti-nutritional factor degradation efficiency. Fermentation broke down large molecular weight proteins, consistent with sizes of glycinin and beta-conglycinin into smaller proteins. Crude protein significantly increased from 51.5% to 56.5%. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was reduced by 26.9% (P < 0.05), while the phytate phosphorus content was reduced by 59.16% (P < 0.05) in B4-FSBM. In the animal trial, 90 newly weaned piglets were divided into three groups, receiving either the negative control (NC; 25.4% SBM), positive control (PC; 25.4% SBM supplemented with 3000 mg/kg zinc oxide), or B4 (B4; 19% FSBM, 6.4% SBM). There was a temporary setback in growth performance for pigs fed B4-FSBM during the early weeks. However, their growth performance improved, and by the fourth week, their gain-to-feed ratio was significantly improved when compared to the control groups. Additionally, pigs fed B4-FSBM had increased (P < 0.05) crude protein digestibility compared to the NC for weeks 3 and 4. Conclusions: Fermentation of SBM with B4 improves feed efficiency and protein digestibility in weaned pigs.