The Effects of Sugar Alcohols on Metabolism of Growing Pigs

In two experiments of 3 × 3 Latin square with growing pigs, the effect was investigated of supplementation of 5 % or 10 % (2.5 % vs. 5 % DM) polyol mixture and 2.5 % or 5 % of xylitol on digestibility of diet, N-balance, blood clinical-chemical parameters and insulin level in serum. Apparent digestibility of crude protein was lower for the diet with 10 % polyol mixture compared to the control. Sugar alcohols were not found in faeces. Arabinitol, mannitol and rhamnitol were excreted in the urine 25–67 %. Little sorbitol and xylitol were found in urine on diets with polyol mixture 5–10 %. On xylitol diets the pigs did not excrete xylitol in urine. Plasma glucose rose in pigs fed xylitol. Blood total protein and albumin decreased in pigs fed polyol mixture. ALAT-activities were higher for xylitol diets than for the controls. Serum insulin tended to increase in pigs fed polyol mixture 10 % one hour after feeding, and in xylitol feeding two hours after feeding; these values were higher with increasing xylitol inclusion in diet.