Growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and composition in pigs fed diets supplemented with medicinal plants (Bindens pilosa L., Urena lobata L. and Ramulus cinnamomi) powder

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the effects of medicinal plants powder (MP) (60% Bindens pilosa L., 30% Urena lobata L. and 10% Ramulus cinnamomi) as a feed additive to promote growth performance and improve meat quality in pigs. Seventy-two crossbred pigs [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire)], initial body weight 30.3 ± 1.66 kg, were randomly divided into 4 dietary groups, 3 replicates of 6 pigs each. Each group was randomly allocated to one of four dietary treatments: a basal diet (control diet, T0) and three experimental diets (T20, T40 and T60) based on T0 diet supplemented with MP at 20, 40 and 60 g/kg of feed. The experiment lasted for 14 weeks, including 2 periods of feeding programmes (weeks 0–7 and 7–14). A reduced average daily feed intake (linear, P = 0.01) and a decreased trend in average daily gain (ADG) (linear, P = 0.08) were observed in pigs fed diets with 40 and 60 g/kg MP in comparison to the control diet in weeks 0–7. There was no statistical difference in ADG and feed conversion ratio between treatments over the entire trial period. Dietary MP supplementation decreased backfat thickness (quadratic, P = 0.04) and cholesterol content (linear, P = 0.02; quadratic, P = 0.01) in meat. The sensory quality of cooked meat was improved (P < 0.0001) by the inclusion of MP. So, dietary MP supplementation could have the potential to improve sensory quality and decrease backfat thickness and cholesterol content in meat without a negative effect on growth rate of pigs and technological quality of pork.