Effect of Brazilian red pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) essential oil on performance, diarrhea and gut health of weanling pigs

• Published in: Livestock science 2016-01, Vol.183, p.24-27
• Main Authors: Gois, Franz Dias, Cairo, Pedro Leon Gomes, de Souza Cantarelli, Vinícius, do Bomfim Costa, Larissa Corrêa, Fontana, Renato, Allaman, Ivan Bezerra, Sbardella, Maicon, de Carvalho Júnior, Fernando Morais, Costa, Leandro Batista
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Additives; Microbiota; Phytogenics; Piglets
• ISSN: 1871-1413; 1878-0490
• DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2015.11.009

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary Brazilian red pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) essential oil and an antimicrobial agent on weanling pig growth performance, diarrhea occurrence, pH of the digestive content, small intestine histology, and intestine microbial counts. Ninety weanling castrated male pigs (5.6±0.78kg BW and 21-d old) were used in a randomized complete block design experiment with five treatments, six replications per treatment, and three animals per experimental unit (pen). The treatments were a basal diet supplemented with 0 (negative control), 500, 1000, and 1500mg/kg Brazilian red pepper essential oil vs with 120mg/kg chlorohydroxyquinoline (antibiotic treatment). At the end of the experimental period one animal from each pen was slaughtered to record the pH of digestive contents, small intestine histology, and intestine microbial counts. Treatments had no effect (P>0.05) on growth performance, diarrhea occurrence, pH of the digestive content, villus height, crypt depth, and intestinal microbial counts of weanling pigs. However, pigs fed the diet containing 500mg/kg essential oil had greater villi density (P