Farmers often try to save money by changing pig feed ingredients, but this can sometimes hurt the animals’ growth and health. Scientists tested whether adding a special enzyme called β-mannanase could fix these problems. They fed three groups of young pigs different diets for 42 days: a regular diet, a cheaper diet with more soybean meal, and the cheaper diet plus the special enzyme. The results showed that while the cheaper diet saved money, it slowed pig growth and caused intestinal inflammation. However, when they added the enzyme, the pigs grew normally again and stayed healthier, all while keeping costs low. This suggests the enzyme could help farms save money without sacrificing pig health.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether adding a special enzyme (β-mannanase) to cheaper pig feed could prevent health and growth problems that normally happen when farms try to save money on feed ingredients.
  • Who participated: 36 young pigs (weighing about 13-14 pounds at the start) divided into three equal groups. The pigs were matched by starting weight and sex to make fair comparisons.
  • Key finding: Cheaper feed without the enzyme slowed pig growth by about 20% in the first 10 days and caused intestinal inflammation. Adding the enzyme fixed both problems—pigs grew normally and inflammation markers decreased—while keeping feed costs low.
  • What it means for you: If you raise pigs, this suggests you might be able to use cheaper feed ingredients without hurting your animals’ health or growth if you add this enzyme. However, this is early research on a small number of pigs, so more testing is needed before making big changes to farm practices.

The Research Details

Scientists divided 36 young pigs into three groups of 12 pigs each. All pigs started at similar weights and were either male or female. One group ate regular feed (the control), one group ate cheaper feed made with more soybean meal instead of corn, and the third group ate the cheaper feed plus a special enzyme called β-mannanase added back in place of some corn.

The pigs ate these different diets for 42 days, split into three feeding periods (10 days, 10 days, and 22 days). The scientists measured how much the pigs grew, how well they digested their food, and checked their intestinal health by looking at tissue samples and measuring inflammation markers in their guts.

This type of study is called a randomized controlled trial, which is considered a strong way to test whether something actually works because it compares groups that are as similar as possible except for the one thing being tested.

This research approach is important because it tests a real farm problem—saving money on feed—in a controlled way. By measuring both growth (what farmers care about most) and intestinal health (which affects long-term productivity), the study shows whether cost-saving actually hurts animals or if the enzyme can prevent that harm.

This study has some strengths: it used a proper control group, randomly assigned pigs to groups, and measured multiple health markers. However, it only tested 36 pigs total, which is a relatively small number. The study was also published in 2026 and appears to be recent research, so these findings should be considered preliminary. More research with larger numbers of pigs and on different farms would strengthen confidence in these results.

What the Results Show

The cheaper diet (LCD) caused several problems in young pigs. In the first 10 days, pigs on the cheaper diet grew about 20% slower than pigs on regular feed. By day 42, the cheaper diet had changed the types of bacteria in the pigs’ intestines and increased inflammation markers (IL-8) in the small intestine. The cheaper diet also made it harder for pigs to digest fats from their food.

When the enzyme β-mannanase was added to the cheaper diet, it reversed most of these problems. Pigs grew at normal rates again, intestinal inflammation decreased, and fat digestion improved. Importantly, the enzyme didn’t increase feed costs—the cheaper diet with the enzyme still cost less than regular feed.

The cheaper diet did save money overall (about 10-15% lower feed costs), but this savings came at the cost of slower growth. The enzyme allowed farms to keep the cost savings while avoiding the growth penalty.

The research found that the cheaper diet changed which bacteria lived in the pigs’ intestines. Specifically, it increased bacteria from the Coriobacteriaceae family, which are associated with intestinal stress. The enzyme reduced these problematic bacteria back to normal levels. The enzyme also reduced another inflammation marker (IL-6) in the intestines. These changes in bacteria and inflammation suggest the enzyme helps protect the intestinal lining from damage caused by the cheaper feed ingredients.

This research builds on previous studies showing that soybean meal (used more heavily in cheaper feeds) can irritate pig intestines and slow growth. The novel finding here is that β-mannanase, an enzyme that breaks down certain plant fibers, can prevent these problems. This is consistent with other research showing that enzymes can help pigs digest plant-based ingredients better, but this is one of the first studies showing it can specifically prevent the intestinal inflammation caused by budget feeds.

The study only included 36 pigs, which is a small number for farm research. Results might differ with larger groups or different pig breeds. The study only lasted 42 days, so we don’t know if benefits continue over a pig’s entire life. The research was done in a controlled laboratory setting where all pigs got identical care—real farms might see different results due to variations in management, climate, and other factors. Finally, the study only tested one dose of the enzyme, so we don’t know if higher or lower doses might work better.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, farms might consider adding β-mannanase enzyme when using cheaper feed formulations with high soybean meal content. However, confidence in this recommendation is moderate because the study is small and preliminary. Before making farm-wide changes, producers should: (1) consult with a nutritionist, (2) test the enzyme on a small group of pigs first, and (3) monitor growth and health closely. The enzyme appears safe and maintains cost savings, but individual farm results may vary.

This research is most relevant to pig farmers and feed manufacturers looking to reduce costs without sacrificing animal health. Veterinarians and animal nutritionists should be aware of this potential solution. Pet owners and consumers should care because healthier pigs mean safer, better-quality pork. This research is less relevant to people who don’t work with pigs or livestock.

Based on this study, benefits should appear quickly—within the first 10 days of feeding the enzyme, pigs showed improved growth rates. Intestinal health improvements were visible by day 20. However, farms should monitor pigs for at least 4-6 weeks to see if benefits continue and to watch for any unexpected effects.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you raise pigs, track daily weight gain (in pounds per day) and feed costs per pound of growth. Compare these metrics before and after adding the enzyme to your budget feed formula. Record measurements weekly to spot trends early.
  • For farmers: Test the enzyme on one small group (10-20 pigs) before switching your entire operation. Document starting weights, daily feed amounts, and final weights. For consumers: This research suggests looking for pork from farms using enzyme-supplemented feeds, as it indicates attention to both cost-efficiency and animal welfare.
  • Track pig growth rates, feed consumption, and visible health signs (energy level, coat quality, digestive health) throughout the feeding period. If using the app to manage a farm, set weekly reminders to weigh pigs and record feed usage. Compare your results to the baseline (pigs on regular feed) to determine if the enzyme is working on your specific farm.

This research is preliminary and based on a small study of 36 pigs in a controlled setting. Results may not apply to all pig farms, breeds, or management systems. Before making changes to your pig feed or farm practices, consult with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional agricultural or veterinary advice. Individual results may vary based on farm conditions, pig genetics, and management practices. Always follow label directions and safety guidelines for any feed additives or enzymes.