Test additive | Rate | Development stage | Key findings | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Caprylic acid/capric acid (6:4 blend) | 8% | Weaned pigs at d 21 and evaluated for 28 subsequent days (n = 164 pigs) | -FCR was best with fatty acid-containing diet -Decreased serum urea levels, suggesting improved energy utilization -Increased serum triglyceride levels | [63] |
Caprylic acid | 0.5% | Weaned pigs around d 28–32 and evaluated for 21 subsequent days (n = 120 pigs) | -Significantly improved growth performance compared to control group and another group fed 1% triglycerides of capric and caprylic acids -Shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts was delayed and less intense | [64] |
Blend of MCFAs (caproic, caprylic, capric, and lauric acids) | 0.5% | Piglets around d 7 and evaluated for 77 subsequent days (n = 183 pigs) | -Tended to improve overall ADG, with significant differences between days 35–56 -Tended to improve feed efficiency (smaller FCR) -Decreased Clostridium levels in the small intestine digesta | [65] |
Caprylic acid or capric acid | 0.2% | Weaned pigs at d 35 and evaluated for 49 subsequent days (n = 252 pigs) | -Improved ADG -Best FCR in pigs receiving caprylic acid-containing diet -Decreased mortality and increased protein and fiber digestibility -Reduced Clostridium perfringens levels -Improved mucosal epithelium structure of ileum | [66] |
Caproic, caprylic, and capric acids (individual or 1:1:1 blend) | 0.25–1.5% | Weaned pigs (7–23 kg body weight) for 35 d (n = 360 pigs) | -Improved ADG, AFDI, and FCR with higher MCFA blend dose -Caprylic acid yielded best growth performance among individual MCFAs | [67] |
Caproic, caprylic, and capric acids (1:1:1 blend) or one of two blends (12:48:40 or 4:54:38 ratio) | 1% | Weaned pigs (6 kg initial body weight) from d 27 for 29 subsequent daysa (n = 100 pigs) | -Improved FCR in E. coli-challenged pigs with MCFA-containing diets -Similar growth performance level of MCFA- or chlortetracycline antibiotic-containing diets | [68] |
Lauric acid/GML | 0.1% | Weaned pigs during the entire weaning period (7–25 kg body weight) and breeding sowsb | -Significant reduction in the use of antimicrobials in breeding sows -Daily dose per animal yearc was reduced by around 8 d in the test herds | [69] |
Caprylic acid and capric acid blend | 0.15–0.3% | Growing pigs (28 kg initial body weight) for 35 subsequent days (n = 140 pigs) | -Improved ADG (equivalent performance to growth-promoting antibiotic mixture) -Increased lymphocyte percentages and IgG concentrations in pig blood | [70] |