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Digestion of Starch and Some of Its Degradation Products by Newborn Pigs¹

Canada Department of Agriculture, Ottawa

Abstract

The capacity of newborn pigs to digest raw corn starch and several of its degradation products was tested by various techniques. Glucose, maltose, and a soluble starch preparation were digested more rapidly than raw starch. The rate of digestion of raw starch introduced directly into the intestine was not improved with supplemental pancreatic amylase. The data suggest that the prime factor restricting the digestion of raw starch by newborn pigs is that responsible for the initial rupture of the starch granule. The rate of digestion of soluble starch is just below that of maltose and it is difficult to determine if the rate of digestion of soluble starch is limited by the availability of amylase or maltase. The rate of digestion of soluble starch, maltose and glucose by newborn pigs would appear to be sufficiently high to meet a large proportion of the pig's energy requirements, although consumption of such quantities of these carbohydrates may result in diarrhea.

¹ Contribution No. 425, Chemistry Division, Science Service, Ottawa, Ontario.

² The author wishes to acknowledge the technical assistance of R. G. Sample, G. Hatina, R. Durnford and W. R. Settle. The suggestions of G. J. Brisson and B. B. Migicovsky were greatly appreciated.