Impact of the Diet with Purple Sweet Potato and Probiotics on Gas Emission in Swine

Abstract

Swine production is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study evaluated the impact of including purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) and probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum) in pig diets to mitigate GHG emissions, specifically carbon dioxide (CO₂) and ammonia (NH₃). Thirty-six male pigs were used, distributed into nine dietary treatments combining different proportions of commercial feed, purple sweet potato, and Lactobacillus. CO₂ and NH₃ emissions were measured over 49 days using a gas detector. The results showed that treatments including purple sweet potato and probiotics significantly reduced CO₂ and NH₃ emissions. The most effective treatment combined 40% purple sweet potato with 40 ml of Lactobacillus, achieving a significant reduction in CO₂ (1270 ppm) and NH₃ (24.5 ppm) emissions. The Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon statistical tests confirmed significant differences (P ≤ 0.001) between treatments for both variables. In conclusion, the addition of purple sweet potato and probiotics to pig diets is a promising strategy for reducing GHG emissions, contributing to environmental sustainability without compromising the productive performance of pigs.