Introduction The formulation of commercial grower finisher pig diets supplies excess dietary phosphorus (P) through the high inclusion levels of cereals which generally consist of indigestible P in the form of phytate P. As a result incomplete digestion of P is largely responsible for unnecessary P excretion. Feeding reduced P diets supplemented with non digestible oligosaccharides (NDO) have been shown to promote mineral absorption in the large intestine of both humans and rats. Research data

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... epresentative of NDO application in pigs are limited. Lopez et al. (2000) suggested that enhanced fermentation in the colon due to NDO feeding, such as inulin, apparently promotes better hydrolysis of phytate and, thus, enhanced colon P and calcium (Ca) absorption in small mammals. Inulin is classified as dietary fibre resistant to complete enzymatic degradation in the small intestine which is selectively fermented by Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli spp. (Roberfroid et al., 1998) . The objective of this experiment is to investigate the interaction between P and inulin level on mineral metabolism and intestinal microflora in a low and high P wheat based diet.