Fat and fatty acid digestibility of different fat sources in growing pigs

The effect of fat source on fat and fatty acid (FA) apparent faecal (aFD) and ileal digestibility (aID) was studied in growing pigs. Faecal and ileal digestibilities were measured, using titanium dioxide as inert marker, in intact and ileo-rectally anastomosed pigs, respectively. Five different fat sources, added at 10% to a barley based diet (B), were tested: tallow (T), high oleic sunflower oil (HOSF), sunflower oil (SO), linseed oil (LO) and a fat blend (FB; 5.5% T, 3.5% SO and 1% LO of diet).

Except for B and T, fat aFD and aID were relatively similar among diets and site of measurements and the same was observed when it was obtained from the sum of FA aFD. However fat and sum of FA aID varied according to dietary FA composition and it was inversely related with the saturated FA content, due to the lowest aID of palmitic and stearic. aID of linoleic in SO and linolenic in LO were higher than the respective FA of the other diets and no differences were observed for oleic acid. The aFD of the unsaturated FA was higher than the corresponding aID values, despite similar fat aID and aFD. This together with the lower (in some cases negative) aFD of stearic acid suggest that there is biohydrogenation of unsaturated FA in the hindgut. Measurement at the end of the ileum should give a better estimation of digestibility of fat and FA than at the faecal level.     

Effect of graded levels of dietary betaine on ileal and total tract nutrient digestibilities and intestinal bacterial metabolites in piglets*

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of graded dietary inclusion levels of betaine on ileal and total tract nutrient digestibilities and intestinal bacterial metabolites in piglets. A total of eight barrows with an average initial body weight of 7.9 kg were randomly allocated to one of the four assay diets with two pigs per treatment in four repeated measurement periods. The assay diets included a basal diet based on wheat, barley and soybean meal alone, or supplemented with a liquid betaine product at dietary levels of 1.5, 3.0, or 6.0 g betaine per kilogram diet (as‐fed). Ileal digestibilities of dry matter and neutral detergent fibre increased both quadratically and linearly, and ileal digestibility of glycine increased linearly as dietary betaine level increased (p < 0.05). Furthermore, total tract digestibility of crude protein increased quadratically (p < 0.05) and total tract digestibilities of most amino acids tended to increase quadratically (p = 0.06 to p = 0.11) with increasing dietary betaine level. Moreover, there were linear increases in the concentrations of most bacterial metabolites which were significant p < 0.05 for ileal d ‐lactic acid and for faecal diaminopimelic acid. The results demonstrate that dietary betaine supplementation stimulates bacterial fermentation of fibre in the small intestine and bacterial degradation of crude protein in the large intestine.     

The net energy value of crude fat for growth in pigsValeur énergt́ique nette des matières grasses pour la croissance du porcDer Nettoenergiewert von Rohfett für das Wachstum bei Schweinen

An experiment with 36 growing pigs of Danish Landrace was performed to study the influence of crude (animal) fat on the digestibility of crude fat and on the efficiency of utilization of metabolizable energy.The pigs (females from 3 litters and male castrates from 3 litters) were distributed on six dietary treatments on a within-litter basis, taking into account the live weight of the pigs. The daily intake of the different diets was regulated in such a way that the daily gain in the different treatment groups was almost identical throughout the entire experimental period from 20–90 kg.Three digestibility and balance experiments were performed with each pig, and at approximately 90 kg live weight the pigs were killed, dissected, ground, mixed and chemically analysed. The digestibility of crude fat increased with increasing concentration of dietary fat and the efficiency of utilization of metabolizable energy was increased by 5.0 kJ g^?1 digestible crude fat.Digestibility experiments with ileo-caecal cannulated pigs showed that the proportion of the digested crude fat and fatty acids disappearing in the caecum—colon decreased with increasing concentration of dietary crude fat, which results in a positive contribution of digestible crude fat to net energy besides its contribution to metabolizable energy.     

Chemical Composition and Energy Value of Different Fat Sources for Growing Pigs

The chemical composition, digestibility and energy value of eight animal and vegetable fat batches was determined (animal fat, soya oil, palm oil, palm oil, palm oil mix and vegetable oil byproduct). To a basal diet, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30% dietary fat was added, and digestibility and balance experiments with each fat batch were carried out with three litters of six female pigs, weighing 50-75 kg. The digestibility was determined by multiple regression analysis. The content of HCl-extracted fat and the amount of gross energy was nearly equal for all the fat sources and as such not related to the variation in fatty acid composition or digestibility. Inclusion of soya oil, which is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, enhanced protein digestibility, whereas inclusion of the other fat sources did not influence protein digestibility. A curvilinear function of fat digestibility (% of intake) to dietary fat concentration was found, thus reflecting the significance of the endogenous fat losses on the determined digestibility value. In contrast, the relationship of digested fat (g day     

Comparison of regression and fat-free diet methods for estimating ileal and total tract endogenous losses and digestibility of fat and fatty acids in growing pigs

An experiment was conducted to 1) compare the regression and fat-free diet methods for estimating total or basal endogenous losses of fat (ELF) and fatty acids (ELFA) and true digestibility (TD) or standardized digestibility (SD) of fat and fatty acids in growing pigs and 2) compare these estimated values at the end of the ileum and over the entire intestinal tract. Ten barrows (initial body weight: 45.1 ± 2.8 kg) were surgically fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and allotted to one of five experimental diets in a three-period Youden Square design. A fat-free diet was formulated using cornstarch, soy protein isolate, and sucrose. Four oil-added diets were formulated by adding four levels of soybean oil (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) to the fat-free basal diet at the expense of cornstarch. All diets contained 26% sugar beet pulp and 0.40% chromic oxide. Results indicated that there were no differences between true ileal digestibility (TID) of fat and true total tract digestibility (TTTD) of fat when pigs were fed soybean oil. The TID of C18:0 and total saturated fatty acids (TSFA) was greater than TTTD (P < 0.05). The total ELF at the end of the ileum were not different from that over the entire intestinal tract. In addition, total endogenous losses of C18:0 and TSFA were greater for the entire intestinal tract than at the end of the ileum, whereas total endogenous losses of C18:2 and total unsaturated fatty acids were just the opposite. Similar results were observed for basal ELF and ELFA. As the inclusion level of soybean oil increased, apparent digestibility (AD) of fat and fatty acids increased linearly (P < 0.05) except for apparent ileal digestibility of C18:0. However, SD of fat and fatty acids was not influenced by the inclusion level of soybean oil. Estimation of ELF and ELFA observed by the regression and fat-free diet methods did not differ when measured at the end of the ileal or total tract. There were no differences between the estimations of TD and SD of fat and fatty acids for soybean oil. Collectively, the estimation of TD or SD of fat can be measured over the entire intestinal tract, whereas the ileal analysis method should be used to determine the ELF, ELFA, and TD or SD of fatty acids. Correcting AD for basal ELF and ELFA can accurately estimate SD values of fat and fatty acids.     

Digestion and deposition of individual fatty acids in growing-finishing pigs fed diets containing either beef tallow or sunflower oil

The apparent digestibility and deposition in carcass of individual dietary fatty acids (FA) were determined in growing-finishing pigs fed diets containing either beef tallow or sunflower oil. The beef tallow was rich in saturated FA (SFA) and the sunflower oil had a high content of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA). A total of 39 barrows was used. The experimental diets contained 5% (w/w) of the variable fat source and were fed ad libitum . The dietary fat type had no effect (p > 0.05) on growth performance, even though the apparent digestibilities of crude fat and crude protein were higher (p < 0.05) in the animals fed sunflower oil. The pigs fed the sunflower oil diet showed higher apparent digestibilities (p < 0.05) of the sum of SFA, monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and PUFA, but had a lower digestibility (p < 0.05) of stearic acid. The intakes of individual digestible FA were derived feed intake data, FA contents of the diets and the digestibility of individual FA. For the entire feeding period of 13 weeks, the ratio of deposition in carcass to intake of digestible FA was increased (p < 0.05) for palmitic and stearic acid in the pigs fed sunflower oil, but the ratios for oleic acid and linoleic acid were decreased (p < 0.001). In the pigs fed sunflower oil instead of beef tallow, the deposition:intake ratio was raised for the SFA (p < 0.001), but diminished for the MUFA (p < 0.05). The calculated minimum de novo synthesis of SFA was increased (p < 0.05) and that of MUFA decreased (p < 0.05) in the pigs fed sunflower oil. It is concluded that the feeding of a diet with sunflower oil instead of beef tallow improved apparent digestibility of SFA, MUFA and PUFA, increased the deposition:digestible intake ratio for SFA, but lowered that for MUFA and PUFA.     

Effects of Different Dietary Crude Protein Levels on the Nutrient Absorbability in the Small Intestine of Lambs

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of different dietary crude protein levels on the nutrient absorbability in the small intestine of lambs.Three Kazakh lambs (30 kg body weight) fitted with permanent ruminal,duodenal and ileal fistula were selected.3×3 Latin square design was adopted.A dual-phase marker system with LiCr-EDTA and Yb-Ac as the liquid-phase or particulate-phase digesta flows maker was adopted to measure the true digesta flows at duodenal and ileal fistula,respectively.The results showed that nitrogen intake,total tract apparent digestibility,N deposition,the apparent digestibility of dry matter and organic matter were significantly increased with increasing levels of dietary crude protein (P<0.05),but had no significant effects on intestinal digesta flows (P>0.05).Increasing dietary crude protein levels had significant effects on most part of nutrients of duodenal digesta except fat and purine (P<0.05),while it only significantly effected CP,Ash,dry matter,neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fiber of ileal digesta flows (P<0.05).In addition,intestinal absorbability of nutrients except for CP,Ash,dry matter,neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fiber were significantly affected with increasing levels of dietary crude protein(P<0.05).The test provided basis for further study of the effects of dietary CP level on the digestibility and utilization of lamb.     

Fatty Acid Metabolism in the Digestive Tract of Lactating Cows Fed Tallow in Increasing Amounts at Two Feed Levels

Abstract

Long-chain fatty acid metabolism in the digestive tract was studied in lactating cows fed at two levels of dry matter intake (L, 8.6 kg DM and H, 12.6 kg DM), with 0, 4 and 6% added tallow at low feed level (L0, L4 and L6), and 0, 2, 4 and 6% fat at high feed level (H0, H2, H4 and H6). Mean fatty acid balance from mouth to duodenum was about zero when corrected for endogenous fatty acids from bile. However, regression analysis showed a microbial synthesis of 68 g at zero fatty acid intake, and a trend which indicated declining de novo synthesis of fatty acids with increasing fat level in the diet. As a mean 68% of the unsaturated C18 fatty acids were hydrogenated in the rumen.

Fatty acid and crude fat true digestibilities decreased with increasing fat intakes owing to a decrease in stearic acid (C18:0) digestibility.     

In vitro analyses for predicting standardised ileal digestibility of protein and amino acids in actual batches of feedstuffs and diets for pigs

In vitro digestibility analyses of feedstuffs and diets are integrated in the new Danish feed evaluation system for pigs. This system is based on potential physiological energy and standardised digestible amino acids. For characterisation of the energy value of actual batches of feedstuffs and complete diets for pigs, two different in vitro methods have been developed and proved to analyse precisely the digestibility of organic matter at faecal, as well as at ileal, level in the pigs. For characterisation of the protein value in the diet, table values for standardised digestibility of amino acids from the individual feedstuffs are used for calculation of their contribution to the amino acid recommendations for the specific pig category. The results in the present paper indicate that in vitro analyses for digestibility of crude protein in feedstuffs are a reliable tool for calculation of standardised ileal digestibility of the individual amino acids. Thus, the results may question the need for future experiments with surgically modified pigs for analysing ileal digestibility of amino acids in protein sources. Alternatively, in vitro digestibility analyses appear to have a general potential for a precise evaluation of amino acid digestibility in actual batches of feedstuffs and pig diets.     

不同粗蛋白质水平日粮对育肥羊小肠养分吸收率的影响

本研究旨在比较不同粗蛋白质（CP）水平日粮对育肥羔羊小肠养分吸收率的影响。选用体重30 kg左右,安装有瘤胃、十二指肠近端和回肠末端瘘管的3只哈萨克育肥羊为试验动物,采用3×3拉丁方试验设计,采用醋酸镱（Yb-Ac）、锂铬乙二胺四乙酸（LiCr-EDTA）分别作为消化道固相和液相食糜标记物测定小肠食糜流量。结果显示,增加全混合日粮中CP水平可显著提高育肥羊N的进食量、全消化道表观消化率和N沉积（P<0.05）,显著提高干物质（DM）和有机物（OM）的表观消化率（P<0.05）,但对小肠食糜流量无显著影响（P>0.05）;提高日粮CP水平对十二指肠食糜除EE和嘌呤外的营养成分流量均产生显著的影响（P<0.05）,仅对回肠食糜中CP、粗灰分（Ash）、DM、中性洗涤纤维（NDF）和酸性洗涤纤维（ADF）流量的影响显著（P<0.05）,且对CP、Ash、DM、NDF和ADF的小肠吸收率影响显著（P<0.05）。本试验为进一步深入分析增加日粮CP水平对其在育肥羊体内的消化利用奠定基础。     

Nitrogen and amino acid absorption in the small intestine of growing pigs. 2. Apparent and true crude protein digestibility and amino acid absorption to the end of the small intestine

Studies of the apparent and true ileal digestibility of crude protein and the apparent and true amino acid (AA) absorption were carried out with 7 female pigs in the live weight range between 22 and 34 kg after ileorectostomy. Protein sources of varied quality with regard to the method of treatment (toasted) and untoasted soybean oilmeal) and to the AA composition (vital gluten or vital gluten + L-lysine X HCl) were used. Distinct differences regarding the apparent ileal digestibility of crude protein and the apparent absorption of amino acids were discovered between the protein sources, the cause of which is to be seen in the different amounts of endogenous N. The true ileal digestibility of crude protein and amino acid absorption were partly distinctly higher than the values of the apparent ileal digestibility of crude protein and AA absorption. On the whole one can say that the results of the investigation gained by means of ileorectostomy can be compared to the values gained from cannulated animals. Thus the experimental method used is suitable for studying the absorption process to the end of the small intestine of pigs.     

金华猪回肠菌群结构和脂肪酸结合蛋白发育性变化与脂肪沉积的相关性研究

本试验旨在研究金华猪回肠菌群结构和脂肪酸结合蛋白发育性变化及其与脂肪沉积的相关性.试验分别选取45(D45)、90(D90)、150(D150)和270(D270)日龄体重相近的健康金华猪各4头,测定其体重和背膘厚;并采集回肠黏膜及其内容物,通过荧光定量PCR测定回肠黏膜中脂肪酸结合蛋白基因的表达,采用基于16S rR...     

Ileal digestibility of amino acids in pigs fed barleys differing in protein content

The apparent digestibility of nitrogen and amino acids was measured by the ileal and faecal methods in pigs fed nine barleys differing in nitrogen content (from 1.73 to 2.16 per cent/DM). A positive (r = 0.87) and significant relationship was found between the apparent nitrogen digestibility at the end of the ileum and the crude protein content of barley. Generally, the higher the protein of the grain, the higher the ileal digestibilities of the amino acids. For most amino acids the faecal values were greater than the ileal ones. This being specially so for threonine, tryptophan, histidine and cystine belonging to the nutritionally important amino acid group. When the relationship between the amino acid and nitrogen digestibilities at the level of ileum is considered, the values were found to be similar to that of nitrogen in the case of tryptophan, higher for isoleucine, valine (both 2-3 units), cystine, histidine, leucine, methionine (all 5-6 units) and phenylalanine (10 units) and lower only for lysine and threonine (7-8 dig. units).     

Prediction of nutrient digestibility in grower-finisher pigs based on faecal microbiota composition

Microbiota play an important role in total tract nutrient digestion, especially when fibrous diets are fed to pigs. This study aimed to use metagenomics to predict faecal nutrient digestibility in grower-finisher pigs. The study design consisted of 160 three-way crossbreed grower-finisher pigs (80 female and 80 male) which were either fed a diet based on corn/soybean meal or a more fibrous diet based on wheat/barley/by-products. On the day before slaughter, faecal samples were collected and used to determine faecal digestibility of dry matter, ash, organic matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre and non-starch polysaccharides. The faecal samples were also sequenced for the 16S hypervariable region of bacteria (V3/V4) to profile the faecal microbiome. With these data, we calculated the between-animal variation in faecal nutrient digestibility associated with variation in the faecal microbiome, that is the “microbiability”. The microbiability values were significantly greater than zero for dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fibre and non-starch polysaccharides, ranging from 0.58 to 0.93, as well as for crude fat with a value of 0.37, but not significantly different from zero for ash. Using leave-one-out cross-validation, we estimated the accuracy of predicting digestibility values of individual pigs based on their faecal microbiota composition. The accuracies of prediction for crude fat and ash digestibility were virtually 0, and for the other nutrients, the accuracies ranged from 0.42 to 0.63. In conclusion, the faecal microbiota composition gave high microbiability values for faecal digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fibre and non-starch polysaccharides. The accuracies of prediction are relatively low if the interest is in precisely predicting faecal nutrient digestibility of individual pigs, but are promising from the perspective of ranking animals in a genetic selection context.     

Effect of cooking and fermentation of a pig diet on gut environment and digestibility in growing pigs

The effect of pre-feeding treatment of a pig diet on gut environment and digestibility was studied in a double 3 × 3 Latin-square experiment using growing castrated PVTC cannulated male pigs. The diets were based on local feed resources and were fed raw (R), cooked (C) or naturally fermented (F). There were no differences (P > 0.05) in pH and butyric acid concentration of ileal digesta between diets. However, on diet F concentrations of acetic, lactic and propionic acid in ileal digesta were higher (P < 0.05) than on diets R and C. The relative proportions of individual organic acids in ileal digesta were not a reflection of the fermentation profile found in diet F. The ileal apparent digestibility of crude protein, crude fiber and NDF were higher (P < 0.05) on diet F than on diets R and C. The total tract apparent digestibility of crude protein was higher (P < 0.05) on diet F diet than on diets R and C, while there were no differences in total tract apparent digestibility between diets for any other dietary component. In conclusion, when compared with a pig diet in the raw form, fermentation influenced the gut environment and improved the digestibility of some dietary component, while cooking prior to feeding had no measurable effects.     

Effect of pelleting and beta-glucanase supplementation on the ileal and fecal digestibility of a barley-based diet in the pig

The influences of pelleting and beta-glucanase supplementation on the digestibility of dietary components in a barley-based diet were investigated in pigs fitted with cannulas in the terminal ileum. The diet contained 49.0% starch, 18.9% crude protein and 14.8% dietary fiber, with arabinoxylans (4.9%), mixed-linked beta-glucans (3.4%) and cellulose (3.3%) as the main fiber components. Pelleting increased mixed-linked beta-glucan solubility from 45 to 62%. Neither treatment influenced the ileal or fecal apparent digestibilities of dry matter (64 and 80%, respectively), energy (62 and 79%), crude protein (53 and 75%), crude fat (26 and 27%) or dietary fiber (58 and 72%). However, pelleting increased (P less than .01) the pre-ileal apparent digestibility of starch from 91.5 to 95.3% and decreased (P less than .03) that of ash from -10 to -23%, while increasing (P less than .005) the fecal apparent digestibility of starch from 98.6 to 99.7%. The solubility of mixed-linked beta-glucans in ileal digesta was lower (P less than .001) in pelleted (26%) than in unpelleted (58%) diets. beta-glucanase supplementation also increased (P less than .05) the ileal apparent digestibility of starch, from 92.6 to 94.3%, and of mixed-linked beta-glucans, from 95.7 to 97.1%. Significant between-pig differences in the apparent digestibility of dietary components were observed. In conclusion, treatments that disrupt the endosperm cell walls in barley can increase the proportion of the diet digested prior to the large intestine.     

Nutrient Composition Comparison of Longissimus Dorsi between Diannan Small-ear Pigs and DLY Commercial Pigs

This study was conducted to compare the nutrient composition of longissimus dorsi between Diannan Small-ear pigs and DLY commercial pigs.53 Diannan Small-ear pigs and 58 DLY commercial pigs were chosen and longissimus dorsi samples were collected to determine the content of moisture,crude protein,crude fat,ash,amino acids and fatty acids.The results showed that the moisture content of Diannan Small-ear pigs was extremely significantly lower than DLY commercial pigs (P < 0.01).However,the content of crude protein and crude fat were extremely significantly higher than DLY commercial pigs (P < 0.01).And there was no significant difference in ash content (P > 0.05).The levels of threonine,valine,methionine,isoleucine,leucine,lysine and phenylalanine in longissimus dorsi of Diannan Small-ear pigs were extremely significantly higher than that of DLY commercial pigs (P < 0.01),and the content of myristic acid,palmitic acid,oleic acid,cis different oleic acid,11-cis-20 carbon olefine acid,saturated fatty acids,monounsaturated fatty acids and the total fatty acids in longissimus dorsi of Diannan Small-ear pigs were also extremely significantly higher than that of DLY commercial pigs (P < 0.01).In conclusion,Diannan Small-ear pigs had a better value in nutrient and development.     

Establishment of Tabulated Values for Standardized Ileal Digestibility of Crude Protein and Essential Amino Acids in Common Feedstuffs for Pigs

Literature data on apparent ileal digestibility of crude protein (CP) and amino acids in pigs from 79 references (203 observations) including 13 different common feedstuffs, and other data on basal endogenous ileal loss of CP and amino acids from 32 references (36 observations) were analysed statistically. The analyses revealed that the cannulation method as well as the method for determining endogenous ileal losses of CP and amino acids affected the results. After correction for these effects a new set of tabulated values for apparent and standardized ileal digestibility of crude protein and essential amino acids was generated. The results were in most cases in good agreement with three recently published tables for standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in feedstuffs. Therefore, it was concluded that the data obtained in the present work, together with those given in the recently published tables, would be a suitable basis for a general table for standardized ileal digestibility of CP and amino acids in common feedstuffs for pigs.     

Effects of dietary non-digestible oligosaccharides on microbial characteristics of ileal chyme and faeces in weaner pigs.

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and transgalactooligosaccharides (TOS), which are non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDO), were included at 10 and 40 g/kg in an NDO--free control diet at the expense of purified cellulose. Each of the 5 diets was fed to 4 weaner pigs and microbial characteristics of their ileal chyme and faeces were assessed. The NDO-pigs had lower ileal pH than the control pigs. Dietary NDO did not affect the ileal volatile fatty acid concentration, though FOS-pigs had a higher concentration of lactic acid and relatively more iso-valeric acid and less acetic acid than TOS-pigs. The NDO-pigs had lower ileal aerobic bacterial counts than the control pigs, whilst the FOS-pigs had a larger ileal anaerobic bacterial counts than the TOS-pigs. The NDO-pigs had an higher faecal pH and their faecal volatile fatty acid pool contained relatively more iso-butyric acid and iso-valeric acid than the control pigs. The TOS-pigs tended to have higher faecal anaerobic bacterial counts and had a smaller concentration of faecal volatile fatty acid than the FOS-pigs. We concluded that whilst effects at the faecal level may have been partly due to a reduced intake of cellulose, dietary NDO can exert precaecal prebiotic effects in weaner pigs.     

Dietary protein level affects nutrient digestibility and ileal microbiota structure in growing pigs

This study aimed to determine whether dietary protein content influences pig health as indicated by ileal microbiota structure and coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients. Seventy‐two gilts, with an initial body weight of 29.9 ± 1.5 kg, were used in this 42‐day feeding study. Pigs were randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments of corn‐soybean meal contained 14, 16 or 18% crude protein (CP). As dietary CP content decreased, the CTTAD of most essential amino acids (AAs), except for arginine and histidine, increased linearly, while those of most nonessential AAs decreased linearly. The concentration of total short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) was higher in pigs fed the diet with 14% CP content than others. Ileal microbiota structure was changed by dietary treatments. In particular, at the phylum level, the relative abundance of Tenericutes in ileal digesta decreased as the dietary protein content reduced, while that of cyanobacteria increased. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Weeksella, Phaseolus acutifolius, Slackia, Sulfurimonas and Aerococcus showed significant differences among the three dietary treatments. In conclusion, ileal microbiota structure was changed by dietary protein content. Moderate reduction of protein intake can benefit gut health by enhancing the gut microbial fermentation and SCFA formation.