Sangrovit®, a phytogenic feed additive derived from the rhizomes of Sanguinaria Canadensis has been suggested to improve growth performance of pigs by tryptophan sparing due to inhibition of L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase by its active ingredient sanguinarine. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of Sangrovit® to diets adequate or deficient in tryptophan on growth performance in pigs. In two replicate trials, 24 pigs were fed one of four experimental diets consisting of a basal diet deficient in tryptophan, the basal diet deficient in tryptophan supplemented with 50 mg Sangrovit® per kg diet, the basal diet supplemented with 1 g tryptophan per kg diet and the basal diet supplemented with 1 g tryptophan and 50 mg Sangrovit® per kg diet over a period of three weeks. Compared to the animals receiving the tryptophan adequate diets, pigs fed the tryptophan deficient diets showed a pronounced decrease in feed intake, resulting in decreased daily gain and poorer feed conversion. Supplementation of Sangrovit® to tryptophan adequate and to tryptophan deficient diets had no effect on feed intake, daily gain and feed conversion. Based on the growth performance data, the results of this study, indicate that supplementation of Sangrovit® to pig diets may not have any beneficial effect on tryptophan availability or metabolism.

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