The Effects of Different Levels of Citric Acid on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Gastrointestinal pH of Weaned Piglets

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of citric acid (CA) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and gastrointestinal pH of weaned piglets. Methods: A total of 120 weaned piglets with an initial BW of 7.15 +/- 0.01 kg, were randomly divided into four groups including control treatment each with three replicates of 10 piglets each. Each group was supplemented with 0.5% (control group), 1%, 1.5% and 2% CA in the basal diet, respectively.Result: The results showed that the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG) of added 1% CA group were significantly higher than that of 0.5% group (P<0.05). Dietary CA significantly improved the utilization rates of crude protein, calcium and phosphorus (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between adding 1% and 1.5% CA (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, adding CA effectively reduced the pH of the stomach, duodenum jejunum and ileum contents and adding 2% CA were significantly lower than those in other groups (P<0.05). Therefore, the addition of 1.0% CA in the diets of weaned piglets is suitable.