Application of sweeteners in pig feeding: a bibliographic review

Application of sweeteners as feed additives to increase the attractiveness of feed is a safe, physiological, relevant and cost-effective method to improve feed quality of feed and increase animal productivity. Despite their widespread use, however, only a few studies on the use of sweeteners in animals have been published by domestic authors. Thus, this study aimed to provide a bibliographic review of scientific data on the use of sweeteners in pig feeding, to understand their effects on physiological processes and functions in animals, and to determine their pros and cons. To identify relevant studies, a combination of search queries using the keywords “sweeteners,” “pigs,” “physiology,” “feed additives,” and “intensive sweeteners” was used in the PubMed Advanced Search Builder, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, and ELibrary databases. As a result, a list of 38 relevant scientific papers was obtained. The significant number of analyzed sources devoted to studying the effectiveness and safety of various sweeteners for feeding different animal species and humans shows existing knowledge gaps and suggests the need for further research to better understand the role of sweeteners in the physiology and nutrition of pigs. This paper discusses the effects of various sweeteners on pigs’ bodies and the feasibility of using them on pig farms. It also explores ways to increase their effectiveness, such as using mixtures of sweeteners with different ratios, using various sweeteners with different feeds, and developing mixtures for pigs’ specific needs based on sex, age, breed, and purpose. Additionally, it discusses developing complex feed additives containing flavoring compounds.

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