Effects of Mulberry Leaf Powder on Growth Performance, Hematological Profiles, Microbial Shedding and Fecal Odorous Compounds in Weanling Pigs

A total of 120 weanling pigs in study 1 (7.05±1.15 kg) and study 2 (6.34 kg±0.44 kg) were used in two separate 49 d studies to investigate the effect of mulberry leaf power on growth performance, fecal microflora population, physiochemical characteristics, odorous compounds and hematological profile. In study 1, dietary treatments were, a basal diet (negative control, NC), a basal diet supplemented with 0.01% apramycin (positive control, PC), mulberry leaf powder at 1 (ML-1) and 2% (ML–2). Pigs fed on ML1 had a comparable gain: feed (G: F) to those fed on PC and greater G: F than those fed the on NC (P<0.05) during study 1. In study 2, dietary treatments were NC, PC, NC+ML 0.5% and NC+ML 1%. During phase 1 (1 to 24 d) ADG of pigs fed the ML-0.5 diet was comparable to those fed the PC diet and greater than those fed the NC diet (P<0.05). During phase 2 (25 to 49 d) G: F of pigs fed the ML-0.5 and ML-1 diet was greater than those fed the NC and PC diet (P<0.05). MCV concentration in pigs fed the ML-0.5 was greater than those fed the NC and PC diet (P<0.05). In conclusion, mulberry leaf powder at 1% could play as an alternative to antibiotic feed supplement with better G: F in nursery pigs.