EFFECTS OF A DIETARY PLANT MIX ON MICROBIOLOGICAL FAECES ANALYSES OF PIGLETS

Gabriela Maria Cornescu, T. Gavris, Tatiana Panaite, Cristina Tabuc, Margareta Olteanu, Rodica Diana Criste

Abstract
    The purpose of this experiment was to investigate a plant mix effects with antibacterial properties on the microbiological faeces load of piglets. During the 28 days period, 8 hybrid Topigs castrated males, aged 68 days (average initial weight 17.4±0.58 kg) were divided in 2 groups (C, E). Two balance studies were conducted for 5 days (weeks 2 and 4). The feed consumed and excreta were weighted, recorded amd sampled. Microbiological analyses of faeces were performed for Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus spp, Lactobacillus spp. Microbial populations were determined by counting the colonies on selected media for each microorganism using a Scan® 300 automatic colony counter. The results were expressed as a logarithm(base 10) of colony-forming units per gram of sample. The microbiological faeces analyses of balance 1 showed a very significant statistically (P<0.0001) lower concentration of E.coli (log10 CFU/g) and a statistically significant (P<0.05) decreasing Staphylococci spp. concentration, while balance 2 showed a very significant statistically (P<0.0001) lower concentration of E.coli and Staphylococci spp. (log10 CFU/g) and a very significant statistically (P<0.0001) increasing concentration of Lactobacilli spp (log10 CFU/g) for E group compared to C group. The plants mix had the best results concerning the microbiological faeces load, therefore their antibacterial properties had a real effect during the experimental period.

Key words: piglet, antibacterial, microbiological, faeces, plant mix