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®) and benzoic acid (VevoVitall®) 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) TOYO group: Same feed as in the controls plus Toyocerin® at a dose of 1 x 10⁹ Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi spores / kg feed, (c) BA group: Same feed as in the controls plus VevoVitall® 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® at a dose of 1 x 10⁹ Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi spores and VevoVitall® 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 10⁹ / kg feed or benzoic acid at a dose of 5000 ppm or the combination of 1 x 10⁹ 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.