Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station Lafayette, Indiana
SURFACTANTS VS. ANTIBIOTICS AS GROWTH STIMULATORS IN SWINE RATIONS
W. M. Beeson, T. W. Perry, B. W. Vosteen and P. J. Reynolds
Department of Animal Husbandry
Surfactants, sometimes referred to as surface active agents, wetting agents or detergents, have been shown to possess growth stimulating properties when incorporated in the rations of chickens and swine. Surface active compounds (surfactants) are used extensively as part of the ingredients incorporated in detergents (washing agents) for household use. To avoid confusion, it should be emphasized that surfactants have a different composition from soap. The use of these compounds in the diets of farm animals is relatively new. However, at the present time, sufficient data are not available to predict the possible practical role that surfactants may have in the feeding of livestock.
The object of these experiments was to compare the effectiveness of antibiotics and surfactants for improving the growth rate and feed efficiency of swine. Two types of surface active compounds were used:	alkyl benzene sulfonate and C-15
ethomid.
Trial I - Spring, 1952.
Weanling multiple cross-breed pigs averaging 40 pounds were divided between three paved lots on the basis of liveweight and thrift. Lou I served as the control and received a complete all-plant basal ration whose composition follows (18$ protein at the start and adjusted as the pigs increased in size):	ground
yellow corn 68.10 percent, soybean meal 26.35 percent, dehydrated alfalfa meal 5.00 percent, vitamin A and D oil, vitamin B^2 riboflavin, calcium pantothenate and niacin. A simple 40-40-20 mineral mixiure of steamed bonemeal, ground limestone and salt was available in all lots. Let II served as a positive control and received, in addition to the basal ration, aureomycin hydrochloride at a level of 10 milligrams per pound, of total ration. Lot III received, the basal ration listed for Lot I plus 0.26 percent alkyl benzene sulfonate. Growth and feed summaries for this trial are presented in Table I.
Table I. Aureomycin Compared with Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate as a Growth Stimulant for Growing and Fattening Swine
Mimeo AH________90
September, 1952 (10M)