Modulating Taste Perception in Newly Weaned Piglets: The Role of Palatability Additives in Enhancing Feed Intake and Performance

Abstract

The continuous growth of global agribusiness stimulates the search for alternatives that can enhance the performance and quality of life of production animals. In swine production systems, multiple challenges arise during the post-weaning phase when piglets face substantial transitions, including diet changes, environmental shifts, and maternal separation. These stressors often lead to reduced feed intake and inadequate nutrient consumption, resulting in impaired growth and increased susceptibility to diseases, even mortality in extreme cases. To counter these challenges, the use of palatability enhancers has emerged as an essential strategy to stimulate feed consumption, ensuring sufficient nutrient intake and promoting the health and welfare of piglets. Considering the crucial role of taste perception and dietary preferences in pigs, this review explores the mechanisms behind taste perception, the impact of various palatability additives on feed intake, and highlights current advances in strategies designed to optimize the feeding of newly weaned piglets.