A 10-week study of 210 finishing pigs found that replacing molasses with MSG-CMS (monosodium glutamate-condensed molasses soluble) significantly improved growth performance, with pigs gaining weight faster and eating more food. According to Gram Research analysis, pigs fed 4% MSG-CMS showed higher average daily weight gain and feed intake compared to pigs on traditional molasses diets, while maintaining similar meat quality and carcass characteristics. The ingredient also promoted beneficial changes in gut bacteria associated with better digestion and health
Researchers tested a new feed ingredient called MSG-CMS (monosodium glutamate-condensed molasses soluble) in pigs to see if it could replace regular molasses and improve growth. Over 10 weeks, 210 finishing pigs were divided into three groups: one eating regular molasses, one eating a mix of molasses and MSG-CMS, and one eating only MSG-CMS. Pigs fed the MSG-CMS diet grew faster and ate more food without any negative effects on meat quality or overall health. The study also found that MSG-CMS changed the types of bacteria in the pigs’ stomachs in ways that support better digestion and health. According to Gram Research analysis, this new ingredient could be a practical replacement for molasses in pig farming.
Key Statistics
A 10-week research trial of 210 finishing pigs found that those fed 4% MSG-CMS showed significantly higher average daily weight gain and feed intake compared to pigs fed traditional 4% molasses diets (P less than 0.05).
Pigs fed the MSG-CMS diet exhibited higher blood insulin concentrations and enrichment of fiber-fermentation-associated bacteria including Selenomonadaceae, Muribaculaceae, and Ruminococcaceae, suggesting improved metabolic health.
Complete replacement of molasses with 4% MSG-CMS improved pig growth performance without adversely affecting meat quality, carcass characteristics, or overall gut bacterial diversity, according to a 2026 study published in the Journal of Animal Science.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a new feed ingredient called MSG-CMS could replace molasses in pig diets and improve how fast pigs grow while keeping them healthy
- Who participated: 210 finishing pigs (a mix of Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc breeds) that weighed about 54 kilograms at the start. The pigs were divided equally into three groups of 70, with each group eating a different diet for 10 weeks
- Key finding: Pigs eating the diet with 4% MSG-CMS grew faster and ate more food compared to pigs eating regular molasses, with statistically significant improvements (P less than 0.05) in daily weight gain and daily food intake
- What it means for you: If you raise pigs for meat, this ingredient could help your animals grow faster without costing more or affecting meat quality. However, this research is specific to finishing pigs and may not apply to other animals or life stages
The Research Details
Scientists conducted a 10-week feeding trial with 210 pigs divided into three equal groups. Each group ate a different diet: one group received 4% molasses (the traditional ingredient), another received 2% molasses plus 2% MSG-CMS (a 50-50 mix), and the third received 4% MSG-CMS (complete replacement). The pigs were housed in pens with 5 pigs per pen and fed in two phases: weeks 0-5 and weeks 5-10. Researchers measured how much the pigs grew, how much they ate, how well they digested their food, and analyzed their blood and gut bacteria. They also examined the meat quality and body composition after 10 weeks.
The study used a completely randomized design, which means each group had an equal chance of receiving any diet. This approach helps ensure that differences between groups were caused by the diet, not by other factors. The researchers had 14 replications (repetitions) of each treatment, meaning each diet was tested 14 times with different groups of pigs. This large number of repetitions makes the results more reliable.
The researchers also looked at the bacteria living in the pigs’ digestive systems using advanced genetic testing. This allowed them to see exactly which types of bacteria were present and how the different diets changed the bacterial communities. They used two different analysis methods to understand these bacterial changes: one that looks at overall diversity and another that examines specific bacterial groups.
Understanding how feed ingredients affect pig growth and gut health is important for farmers who want to raise healthy animals efficiently. The gut bacteria play a crucial role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall health. By studying how MSG-CMS changes these bacteria, researchers can explain why pigs grew better on this diet. This research approach combines practical measurements (growth and feed intake) with detailed biological analysis (gut bacteria), giving a complete picture of how the ingredient works
This study has several strengths that make the results reliable. The large sample size of 210 pigs provides strong evidence. The researchers used a randomized design, which reduces bias. They measured multiple outcomes including growth, digestion, blood chemistry, and gut bacteria, giving a comprehensive view. The study lasted 10 weeks, which is long enough to see real effects. However, the study was conducted in a controlled farm setting, so results might differ in other environments. The research was published in the Journal of Animal Science, a respected peer-reviewed journal. One limitation is that this research only applies to finishing pigs (pigs being prepared for meat), not to younger or breeding pigs
What the Results Show
Pigs fed the diet containing 4% MSG-CMS showed significantly higher average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake during all three measurement periods: phase 1 (weeks 0-5), phase 2 (weeks 5-10), and the overall 10-week period. This means pigs on the MSG-CMS diet grew faster and ate more food than pigs on the other diets.
Interestingly, despite eating more and growing faster, the pigs on MSG-CMS did not end up significantly heavier than the other groups at the end of the study. This suggests that the extra food they ate went into faster growth during the trial period rather than additional final weight. The pigs’ feed efficiency (how much weight they gained per unit of food eaten) was similar across all groups, meaning the MSG-CMS diet did not make pigs convert food to meat more efficiently.
Blood tests showed that pigs on the 4% MSG-CMS diet had higher insulin levels compared to the other groups. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and is involved in growth and metabolism. This finding suggests that MSG-CMS may affect how the pigs’ bodies process nutrients and energy.
The meat quality and carcass characteristics (backfat thickness and lean meat percentage) were not affected by the different diets. This is good news because it means the MSG-CMS diet produced meat of similar quality to the traditional molasses diet
Analysis of the gut bacteria revealed important differences between the diet groups. While the overall diversity of bacteria (alpha diversity) was similar across groups, the specific types of bacteria present (beta diversity) showed partial separation between groups, with the MSG-CMS group showing a clearer distinct pattern. At the phylum level (a broad category of bacteria), the MSG-CMS group had higher amounts of Firmicutes and Bacteroidota bacteria and lower amounts of Proteobacteria. At the genus level (a more specific category), the MSG-CMS group had lower amounts of Clostridium sensu stricto 1, a bacterium that can sometimes be harmful. The MSG-CMS group also showed enrichment of several bacteria associated with fiber fermentation and digestive health, including Selenomonadaceae, Muribaculaceae, Treponema, and Ruminococcaceae. These changes suggest that MSG-CMS promotes a healthier gut bacterial community that supports better digestion and nutrient absorption
This study builds on previous research showing that feed additives can improve pig growth and gut health. The finding that MSG-CMS improves growth performance aligns with other studies examining alternative feed ingredients. The changes in gut bacteria composition, particularly the increase in beneficial fermentation-associated bacteria, are consistent with research showing that improved growth often correlates with healthier gut microbial communities. However, this is one of the first studies specifically examining MSG-CMS as a molasses replacement in finishing pigs, making it a novel contribution to the field
This study has several limitations that readers should understand. First, the research was conducted in a controlled farm environment, so results might differ in other settings or climates. Second, the study only examined finishing pigs (pigs in their final growth phase before slaughter), so the results may not apply to younger piglets or breeding pigs. Third, while the study measured many outcomes, it did not examine long-term effects beyond 10 weeks. Fourth, the study did not measure the cost of MSG-CMS compared to molasses, so farmers would need additional information to determine if this ingredient is economically practical. Finally, the mechanism explaining why MSG-CMS improves growth is not fully understood, though the changes in gut bacteria provide some clues
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, pig farmers may consider replacing molasses with MSG-CMS in finishing pig diets to improve growth rates and feed intake. The evidence is strong (P less than 0.05) for improved growth performance. However, farmers should verify that MSG-CMS is cost-effective compared to molasses before making this change. The recommendation applies specifically to finishing pigs and should not be assumed to work for other animal types or life stages without additional research. Farmers should consult with their veterinarian or animal nutritionist before making dietary changes
This research is most relevant to pig farmers and producers who raise finishing pigs for meat. Feed manufacturers and animal nutritionists developing pig diets would also find this information useful. The findings are less relevant to people raising pigs for breeding purposes or to farmers raising other types of livestock. This research does not apply to human nutrition or health
Based on this study, improvements in pig growth should be visible within the first 5 weeks of feeding MSG-CMS, with continued benefits through 10 weeks. Farmers would likely see measurable differences in daily weight gain and feed intake within the first month of dietary change
Frequently Asked Questions
Does MSG-CMS make pigs grow bigger or just grow faster?
MSG-CMS makes pigs grow faster during the feeding period, but final body weight was similar across diet groups. Pigs on MSG-CMS ate more food and gained weight more quickly, but the total weight at the end of 10 weeks was not significantly different from control groups
Is the meat from pigs fed MSG-CMS different from meat from pigs fed molasses?
No, meat quality and carcass characteristics were not affected by the MSG-CMS diet. The meat from pigs fed MSG-CMS was similar in quality, backfat thickness, and lean meat percentage compared to meat from pigs fed traditional molasses
How does MSG-CMS improve pig health through the gut?
MSG-CMS changes the types of bacteria living in the pig’s digestive system, increasing beneficial bacteria associated with fiber fermentation and digestion. These bacterial changes support better nutrient absorption and overall digestive health, though the exact mechanism is not fully understood
Can I use MSG-CMS for all my pigs or just finishing pigs?
This research only tested MSG-CMS on finishing pigs (pigs in their final growth phase). The results may not apply to younger piglets or breeding pigs without additional research. Consult with a veterinarian before using MSG-CMS for other pig types
How much faster do pigs grow on MSG-CMS compared to molasses?
The study showed statistically significant improvements in average daily weight gain (P less than 0.05) but did not report the exact percentage increase. Pigs on MSG-CMS also ate more food daily, suggesting faster growth throughout the 10-week period
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily feed intake and weekly weight gain for each pen of pigs. Record the specific diet being fed (molasses percentage vs. MSG-CMS percentage) and compare growth rates between different diet groups over 10-week periods
- If using an app to manage pig farming operations, input the MSG-CMS diet composition and set alerts to monitor average daily gain and feed intake metrics. Compare these metrics against baseline performance from previous molasses-only diets to quantify improvements
- Establish a baseline of growth performance metrics with traditional molasses diets. After switching to MSG-CMS, track the same metrics weekly for at least 10 weeks. Document any changes in feed costs, growth rates, and meat quality to determine if the switch is beneficial for your operation
This research applies specifically to finishing pigs and should not be assumed to apply to other animal species, ages, or production systems without additional research. The study was conducted in a controlled farm environment and results may vary in different settings. Before making changes to pig diets, consult with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist. This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute professional veterinary or nutritional advice. Individual results may vary based on farm conditions, pig genetics, and management practices. Always verify the safety, legality, and cost-effectiveness of any new feed ingredient before implementation
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.