The apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids and the digestible energy content of naked oats (Avena sativa cv Bandicoot) fed to growing pigs

An experiment was conducted to determine the apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids and the digestible energy (DE) content of two samples of naked oats (Avena sativa cv Bandicoot) and to compare these parameters in wheat (Triticum aestivum cv Machete) and dehulled oats (groats; Avena sativa cv Echidna). Four Large White male pigs were fitted with simple T-piece ileal cannulae and allocated to experimental diets in a 4×4 Latin square design. Amino acid digestibility coefficients were determined after continuous eight hour collections of digesta over two consecutive days using acid-insoluble ash as an indigestible marker. Digestible energy was determined using grab samples of faeces. No significant difference between the four test cereals was found in the digestibility of all amino acids, except for proline and lysine. The apparent ileal digestibility of lysine in wheat (0·87) and two samples of naked oats (0·89 and 0·82, respectively) was lower (P<0·05) than dehulled oats (0·91). The mean DE value of the naked oats samples was 16·96 MJ kg⁻¹ (air-dry basis). The results suggest that Bandicoot naked oats and dehulled oats are superior amino acid and DE sources to wheat and have potential for use in weaner and grower pig diets. © 1998 SCI.