Kaentawan (Jerusalem artichoke) in Animal Feeds

Abstract

Kaentawan or Jerusalem artichoke (JA, Helianthus tuberosus L.) is a tuberous annual crop of whichtubers are rich in fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) carbohydrates in the forms of inulin and fructans. The FOS are notdigestible by the animal digestive enzymes but are readily digested by the beneficial microbes in GI tract. FeedingFOS to animals suppresses growth and proliferation of the GI pathogenic bacteria but stimulates growth ofhealth-promoting microbials with beneficial implications for host health. Feeding FOS from JA to animals helpedimprove gut health by balancing microbial population, lowering intestinal pH and stimulating development of gut wallresulting in improved absorption. Feeding JA powder at 1% of diets to post-weaning, growing-finishing pigsimproved body weight when compared to the controls and improved efficiency of feed conversion ratio (FCR) by21.8% (P<0.05). Supplementing FOS and inulin at 1% of layer diets reduced yolk total cholesterol and yolkcholesterol concentration (P<0.05). Supplementing short-chained FOS at 0.10% of diets increased egg weight, eggmass and improved FCR when compared to the controls (P<0.01). JA could be used as growth promotingsupplement in animal feeds in place of antibiotic growth promoters. Its growth promoting effects are accomplishedby suppressing pathogenic microbes, balancing gut microflora and gut environment leading to better gut health,nutrient digestion, absorption and ultimately to better performance.