<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The group of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) comprises monocarboxylic fatty acids containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms. These are: caproic (C6), caprylic (C8), capric (C10), and lauric (C12) acids. They can be partly absorbed already through the stomach mucosa. Their triacylglycerols (MCT) can be absorbed intact into intestinal epithelial enterocytes and then hydrolysed by microsomal lipases. Thus they are a readily available source of energy, capable of improving the intestinal epithelial mucosal structure. They are also characterised by strong antibacterial activity due to their ability to penetrate the semi-permeable membranes of bacteria and damage their internal structures. Thanks to these properties, they could be a good supplement to weaned piglet feed. They improve piglet performance and can be used as feed antibiotic replacers.</p></abstract>

The group of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) comprises monocarboxylic fatty acids containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms. These are: caproic (C6), caprylic (C8), capric (C10), and lauric (C12) acids. They can be partly absorbed already through the stomach mucosa. Their triacylglycerols (MCT) can be absorbed intact into intestinal epithelial enterocytes and then hydrolysed by microsomal lipases. Thus they are a readily available source of energy, capable of improving the intestinal epithelial mucosal structure. They are also characterised by strong antibacterial activity due to their ability to penetrate the semi-permeable membranes of bacteria and damage their internal structures. Thanks to these properties, they could be a good supplement to weaned piglet feed. They improve piglet performance and can be used as feed antibiotic replacers.

The Use of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids in Piglet Feeding – A Review

Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science

Annals of Animal Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"The Use of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids in Piglet Feeding \u2013 A Review"}

The group of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) comprises monocarboxylic fatty acids containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms. These are: caproic (C6), caprylic (C8),...

The Use of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids in Piglet Feeding – A Review

Publicado en línea: 27 oct 2017

Páginas: 967 - 977

Recibido: 08 nov 2016

Aceptado: 02 mar 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/aoas-2016-0099

Palabras clave
medium-chain fatty acids, antibacterial activity, piglet nutrition

© 2017 Ewa Hanczakowska, published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The Use of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids in Piglet Feeding – A Review

Publicado en línea: 27 oct 2017

Páginas: 967 - 977

Recibido: 08 nov 2016

Aceptado: 02 mar 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/aoas-2016-0099

Palabras clavemedium-chain fatty acids, antibacterial activity, piglet nutrition

© 2017 Ewa Hanczakowska, published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Palabras clave
medium-chain fatty acids, antibacterial activity, piglet nutrition