Pterocarpus Erinaceus Leaf Extracts Phytochemical Composition And Its Effect On Growth Performance And Intestinal Microbial Population of Weaned Rabbits

Abstract

In Sumitra Research Institute, a total of 50 crossbred male rabbits with initial body weight of 486 ± 0.70 g and weaned at 28 days of age were individually housed in a specially constructed galvanized cage was used to examine the effect of Pterocarpus erinaceus leaf extracts (PELE) on the growth performance and intestinal microbial population of weaned rabbits. Rabbits were stratified based on their body weight and assigned to 5 groups with six animals with one animal per replicate in a completely randomized design. Experimental diet was adequate in all nutrients to meet the requirement of rabbits. Animals in group 1 was fed standard diet with 0 mL PELE while group 2, 3, 4 and 5 were fed standard diet with 0.2 mL, 0.4 mL, 0.6 mL and 0.8 mL/day respectively. Phytochemical evaluation of Pterocarpus erinaceus leaf extracts showed that it contained Flavonoids (112.61 mg/g CAE), terpenoids (87.52 mg/g CAE), phenols (106.39 mg/g GAE), alkaloids (91.53 mg/g ATE), tannins (40.88 mg/g TAE) and phytate (11.31 mg/g). Results on average daily weight gain in group 4 (1544.2 g) and 5 (1547.1 g) were similar (p>0.05) but significantly higher than those in group 1 (1197.8 g), group 2 (1311.28 g) and 3 (1383.9 g). Average daily feed intake were higher (p<0.05) in rabbits fed diet supplemented with PELE relative to group 1 (control). Best feed conversion ratio was recorded in group 4 (3.00) and 5 (3.00), intermediate in group 2 (3.28) and group 3 (3.20) and lower in group 1 (3.43). Microbial population of Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp were higher (p<0.05) in group 1 relative to the other groups. Conversely, Lactobacillus sp count were maximum in PELE supplemented diet relative to control (group 1). It was concluded that supplementation of PELE at 0.8 mL/day can optimize the performance of rabbits as well as suppressing the activities of pathogenic organisms without compromising the health status of animal.