Effects of medicinal plants mixture on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, and fecal microbiota in growing pigs

Abstract

Background and Aim: Alternative natural materials to antibiotics for improving digestive health and growth performance are needed due to strengthening regulations related to the use of antibiotic growth promoters. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of medicinal plants mixture (60% Bidens pilosa L., 15% Urena lobata L., 15% Pseuderanthemum palatiferum, 5% Ramulus cinnamomi, and 5% Star anise) as alternative growth promotors on animal health, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and growth performance of growing pigs. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted, from April 2020 to June 2020, at a private pig production farm located in Cam Giang district Hai Duong Province, Vietnam. Forty-eight 10-week-old crossbred (♂Duroc×♀ [Landrace×Yorkshire]) pigs, average initial body weight 30.3±1.42 kg, were randomly allocated to four dietary groups, three replicate pens per experimental group, with 4 pigs/pen. For 7 weeks, the pigs were fed a basal diet supplemented with the mixture at levels of 0, 20, 40, and 60 g/kg of feed. Results: Final body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio, as well as apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, and gross energy were not significantly influenced by the diets (p>0.05). Inclusion of the plant mixture decreased significantly red blood cell count, blood cholesterol, urea nitrogen, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations (p<0.05) compared with the control diet. No diet effect was observed on fecal Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Clostridium spp., and total bacteria counts. Conclusion: The incorporation of the plant mixture into the diet of growing pigs reduced serum cholesterol, LDL, and urea concentrations with no adverse effect on performance and nutrient digestibility.

Growth performance, meat quality, and blood characteristics of finisher crossbred pigs fed diets supplemented with different levels of green tea (Camellia sinensis) by-products

“…One day before the end of the experiment, 24 animals (six pigs per treatment, one barrow, and one female per replicate pen) were randomly chosen for blood sampling through the jugular vein using an 18-G needle, as previously described by Oanh et al . [ 6 ]. Briefly, aliquots of blood samples were separately placed in both Vacutainer tubes containing K2EDTA and serum tubes.…”

“…Antibiotics used in animal feed, such as higher growth rate, prevention of pathogen diseases, and enhancement of economic efficiency [1][2][3]. However, due to the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic residues in animal products, the use of alternative sources to antibiotics in animal feed is required, particularly those from medicinal plants, which are considered safe and effective agents in disease prevention, growth promotion, and quality enhancement of animal products [4][5][6][7]. Regarding human dietary habits in meat consumption, the most consumed meat in the world is pork [8].…”

Effect of dietary Achyranthes japonica extract on growth performance of growing pigs and absorption rate of quercetin in blood

“…Previously, Oanh et al [23] found that the ATTD of nutrients was the same in pigs that were fed medicinal plant diets or rather, the control diet. On the other hand, Liu et al [8] showed that adding AJE to a growing pigs diets improved the ATTD of DM.…”

“…Controversially, Mohankumar et al [19] did not find a difference between the Lactobacillus count and the E. coli count in the diets of finishing pigs supplemented with AJE. Oanh et al [23] found that medicinal diets did not reduce the number of pathogenic bacteria in pig fecal compared to the control diet. Arabski et al [28] found that herbal plants did not inhibit E. coli from growing, and in fact, they helped bacteria grow in the guts of animals.…”