Piglets in their first weeks of life face various challenges, especially related to their immature digestive system. During weaning and transition to solid feed, piglets are susceptible to digestive disorders and gastrointestinal diseases, which affect their welfare and performance.
Water acidification is an effective strategy to improve the digestive health of piglets, optimize their development, promote a smoother transition to solid feed, and reduce the incidence of disease.
Organic and inorganic acids are added to the water at specific concentrations, usually between 0.1% to 1% of the total volume of water consumed by the piglets depending on the desired water pH target and the desired production results. In general, the pH of drinking water typically used for piglets is between 4.0 and 5.5.
Acidification can be applied continuously or during certain critical periods, as in this case (transition) or when an outbreak of gastrointestinal diseases is detected on the farm.
Water acidification, organic and inorganic acids, and their benefits.
On the market, it is common to work with organic and inorganic acids depending on the objectives to be achieved.
- Organic acids.
Organic acids contain carbon (C) and usually have a carboxyl functional group (-COOH). These types of acids come from biological sources. These acids are weaker compared to those with lower pKa and therefore can have a significant impact on the pH of the digestive tract. Among the most common organic acids used for water acidification are formic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, and propionic acid, among others.
- Inorganic acids.
Inorganic acids with low pKa are those whose acid dissociation constant is small, which means they dissociate easily in the medium, releasing protons (H?). The most commonly used inorganic acids are phosphoric, hydrochloric, and sulphuric, among others. These acids do not usually have any action at the intestinal level, as they have already been dissociated.
As the name suggests, water acidification involves the addition of these acids to the piglets’ drinking water to achieve 2 functions with their corresponding benefits.
- Physical-chemical correction.
- Improvement of chlorine efficiency.
Using chlorine to disinfect water with a pH above 6.5, the dissociation of hypochlorous acid will not occur and the disinfection capacity of the added chlorine will be practically nil. Therefore, acids are added to the water being treated with chlorine to improve the disinfection capacity of the chlorine. If another disinfectant, such as hydrogen peroxide, is used, it does not depend on the pH of the water for disinfection. In other words, the quality of disinfection is the same in waters with low or high pH if hydrogen peroxide is used.
- Improved digestion and nutrient absorption
More acidic water promotes the activation of digestive enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract of piglets, improving feed breakdown and nutrient absorption. Lactic acid, for example, helps to activate pepsin, a key enzyme for protein digestion. With more efficient digestion, piglets can better use the nutrients in the feed and, as a result, show better growth and development.
Process of protein digestion.
- Proteins (in food) ? are broken down in the stomach into polypeptides (by the action of pepsin).
- Polypeptides ? are broken down in the small intestine by proteolytic enzymes (trypsin, chymotrypsin) into shorter peptides.
- Peptides are broken down into free amino acids.
- Amino acids are absorbed by the cells of the intestine and transported through the blood system to be used by the body.
- Stimulation of salivary glands, taste buds, and pancreatic secretions.
Stimulation of the salivary glands promotes the production of amylases, such as ptyalin, which initiates the digestion of starches in the mouth. This process begins in the mouth, facilitating further digestion.
It also has the function of stimulating the taste buds to increase the appetite for water and thus increase feed intake.
Finally, the addition of acids promotes an increase in pancreatic secretions to facilitate a more efficient breakdown of macronutrients and aid absorption.
2- Intestinal prebiotic function (intestinal acidification)
– Control of intestinal pathogens and reduction of digestive disorders.
By adding organic acids, intestinal acidification plays an important role in the digestive health of piglets by creating an acidic environment in the intestine. This hinders the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Clostridium, which are more sensitive to low pH. This helps to reduce the risk of intestinal infections and digestive disorders, such as post-weaning diarrhea, which is common in piglets when they are separated from the mother.
In the case of organic acids, which have a higher dissociation constant (pKa), they stay longer in their acid form in the intestine. This acidic environment not only inhibits harmful bacteria but also favors the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which are essential for good digestion and fermentation of nutrients.
In addition, the acidity of the intestine improves nutrient absorption, as some minerals and other compounds are better assimilated at low pH. In summary, gut acidification not only prevents disease but also improves nutritional efficiency and the overall welfare of the piglets.
– Boosts the intestinal barrier by strengthening the immune system.
Adequately acidified, pathogen-free water supports a balanced gut microbiome, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria that provide a positive effect on immune function. A healthy gut microbiome is key to an efficient immune system, enabling a better response to infections and other environmental challenges.
Conclusion.
Water acidification is an effective tool to improve digestive health in pigs, especially at critical times such as transition. By reducing the pH of water, it promotes nutrient digestion, increases feed and water intake, controls pathogen proliferation, and promotes a healthy gut microbiome, which contributes to better performance and lower mortality.
Implementing water acidification as part of integrated nutritional management can result in a significant improvement in piglet health and welfare, reducing reliance on antibiotics and improving farm economics.
Azix Plus is a prebiotic acidifier composed of a blend of organic acids and natural additives, designed to establish a stable microbial ecosystem in the gut of the animals. It acts as a prebiotic, forming a barrier that inhibits the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella, E. coli, and Clostridium (among others).
Azix Forte is a highly concentrated, primarily inorganic acidifier with high acidifying power and the ability to lower water pH at very low doses.
