Moreira et al., 2002. Rev. Bras. Zootec., 31 (6): 2238-2246

Two studies (Digestibility and Performance) were carried out to evaluate the nutritional value and the feasibility of using defatted corn germ meal (DCGM) fed to growing-finishing pigs. I) Digestibility trial: Twelve pigs with initial body weight of 42.0±5.4 kg were hold in metabolism cage. Six pigs were fed a diet with 70% of basal diet plus 30% of DCGM and six received basal diet. DCGM showed an energy digestibility coefficient of 80.98% and metabolisation coefficient of 78.04%, that means 3,060 kcal of DE/kg and 2,949 Kcal of ME/kg. II) Performance trial: A total of 32 crossbreed swine were used, half castrated males and half females, with an initial body weigh of 31.9±3.6 kg. Pigs were placed on 16 pens with two animals per pen. The animals were fed a ration containing increasing levels (0, 15, 30 e 45%) of defatted corn germ meal. It was used a randomized complete block design, with four treatments and four replicates with two animals per experimental unit. Increasing levels of DCGM impaired swine performance decreased backfat thickness and did not affected loin depth, measured on animal alive. Economical study, considering DCGM price as 80% of corn price, showed that 15% level of DCGM is the most profitable, either on growing or finishing phase.