Effect of benzoic acid and combination of benzoic acid with a probiotic containing Bacillus Cereus var. toyoi in weaned pig nutrition

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a probiotic containing Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi spores (Toyocerin (R)) and benzoic acid (VevoVitall (R)) on growth performance and diarrhoea in weaning pigs, against negative controls. The trial groups were as follows: (a) NC group (Negative Controls): No treatment (b) TOY group: Same feed as in the controls plus Toyocerin (R) at a dose of 1 x 10(9) Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi spores / kg feed, (c) BA group: Same feed as in the controls plus VevoVitall (R) at a dose of 5 g/kg feed (5000 ppm benzoic acid) and (d) TOYO + BA group: Same feed as in the controls plus Toyocerin (R) at a dose of 1 x 10(9) Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi spores and VevoVitall (R) at a dose of 5 g/kg feed. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that administration of Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi spores at 1 x 10(9) / kg feed or benzoic acid at a dose of 5000 ppm or the combination of 1 x 10(9) Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi spores and 5000 ppm of benzoic acid / kg feed, improved the growth performance parameters and reduced the severity of diarrhoea in weaning pigs.