Effect of malate and starch source on digestibility and nutrient balance of growing-fattening lambs

Abstract The experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of malate supplementation (Rumalato, 160 g/kg disodium malate and 840 g/kg calcium malate) and starch source on digestibility and N and energy balances of fattening lambs fed concentrate and barley straw ad libitum . Four concentrates were prepared according to malate dose (0 versus 2 g/kg) and starch source (wheat versus a manioc–barley mixture). Eight individually lodged male Manchega lambs, were used in a double 4×4 Latin square design to evaluate nutrient digestibility and energy and N balances. Treatments were: W (wheat without malate), W + M (wheat with malate), MNB (manioc–barley without malate) and MNB + M (manioc–barley with malate). Malate did not affect dry matter (DM) intake and balances of energy and N, but slightly decreased digestibilities of DM and organic matter (OM; P