Selected herbs are known to naturally possess antibacterial and other characteristics that could be useful in animal protein production. Inclusion of these herbs in animal feeds as alternative growth promotion and efficiency stimulants may be able to address some of the current concerns about the possibility of significant antibiotic-resistant bacteria development that stems from drugs currently used at subtherapeutic levels in animal production. Several herbs were tested for their ability to aid animal growth rates and feed efficiency without giving rise to antibiotic-resistant microbes

Franzenburg, Eric

Holden, Palmer J.

McKean, James D.

Osweiler, Gary D.

Selected herbs are known to naturally possess antibacterial and other characteristics that could be useful in animal protein production. Inclusion of these herbs in animal feeds as alternative growth promotion and efficiency stimulants may be able to address some of the current concerns about the possibility of significant antibiotic-resistant bacteria development that stems from drugs currently used at subtherapeutic levels in animal production. Several herbs were tested for their ability to aid animal growth rates and feed efficiency without giving rise to antibiotic-resistant microbes.</p

Holden, Palmer

McKean, James

Osweiler, Gary

Digital Repository @ Iowa State University (ISU)

98-52 COMPETITIVELeopold Center GRANT REPORT FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE L E O P O L D C E N T E R Botanicals as part of an integrated value-added pork production system Abstract: Selected herbs are known to naturally possess antibacterial and other characteristics that could be useful in animal protein production. Inclusion of these herbs in animal feeds as alternative growth promotion and efficiency stimulants may be able to address some of the current concerns about the possibility of significant antibiotic-resistant bacteria development that stems from drugs currently used at subtherapeutic levels in animal production. Several herbs were tested for their ability to aid animal growth rates and feed efficiency without giving rise to antibiotic-resistant microbes. Background The historic use of herbal remedies to control diseases and promote growth has been sup­planted with the emergence of specific manu­factured chemotherapeutic and antibacterial agents that are low-cost and readily available. The 1995 National Animal Health Monitoring Systems survey reported that 96 percent of all swine received growth promotant products during their lifetime. Now the possibility of significant antibiotic-resistant bacteria devel­opment through the use of these human drugs in animals, and subsequent transfer of this resistance to human pathogens, has raised con­cerns in the medical community. There was need for a study of the use of certain herbs to promote growth rate and feed effi­ciency in feeder swine while averting the pos­sibility of creating antibiotic resistance. Gar­lic, Echinacea, and goldenseal possess known antibacterial qualities, while peppermint has effects that may aid the digestive process. These four botanical prospects were selected for inclusion in swine feeds based on their pharmacological properties and agronomic characteristics. The four selected herbs are capable of being grown effectively in Iowa with minimal capi­tal investment and appear to be unaffected by common agronomic pests. This would allow Iowa swine producers to grow their own natu­ral growth promotants for inclusion in swine diets. These herbs also have the potential for flavoring the meat of treated swine to produce a distinctive value-added product. Echinacea spp., or purple cornflower, a peren­nial herb capable of growth throughout the midwestern United States, is purported to pos­sess antibacterial activity, immuno-enhancing properties, and viral inhibition characteristics under some conditions. There are nine species of Echinacea, but only three are commonly used for medicinal purposes. The whole plant, including the aerial portions and tap roots, has been used for medicinal preparations. Garlic, a member of the lily family and a perennial plant, is cultivated worldwide. Gar­lic bulbs, either fresh or dehydrated, may be used for medical purposes and have demon­strated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against many bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. Garlic inclusion rates of 2 to 4 percent in feeds had a protective effect on chickens subjected to experimental candidiases (fungi). Feed containing 5 percent garlic eliminated candida (fungal) infection. Goldenseal, known to possess antibacterial properties, is a perennial native to eastern North America that can be grown in Iowa. Its most pharmacologically active alkaloid, ber­berine, is concentrated in the rhizome and roots. Its antimicrobial activity has been dem-Principal Investigator: Eric Franzenburg Benton Development Group Van Horne, Iowa Co-investigators: Palmer Holden Animal Science ISU Extension James McKean Iowa Pork Industry Center Gary Osweiler Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Iowa State University Budget: $24,950 for one year Leopold Center Progress Reports 67 Pigs were grown on wire floors in pens with a heating pad and stainless steel feeder onstrated against a wide range of bacteria, protozoa, and fungi. Berberine has demon­strated a capability to inhibit adherence of group A streptococci to host cells and proven effective in the treatment of acute diarrheal diseases caused by E. coli and Salmonella. The effective dosage for goldenseal should be based on berberine content. Peppermint grows under a wide range of con­ditions; black and white peppermint are the two most popular varieties. The major medi­cal component of peppermint is the volatile oils found predominantly in the aerial portions of the plant. Peppermint and other members of the mint family have demonstrated significant antiviral capability, as well as antimicrobial activity against streptococcus and staphylo­coccus. Treatment dosages are not well- es­tablished in humans and limited data are avail­able for animals. Approach and methods Several portions of the experiment were simi­lar for all four botanicals tested. All the experiments were conducted at the ISU Swine Nutrition and Management Center in a tem-perature-regulated nursery room and lasted four to five weeks. Pigs were weaned at 21 days (average weight of 12.7 lb) and immedi­ately placed on the experimental diets. They were grown in 4 x 4 ft raised deck pens with heat pads, self-feeders, and nipple waterers. Pigs were allotted at random to blocks of pens on the basis of initial weight and litter. There were usually 20 pens of four or five pigs each, providing four replications of five dietary treat­ments. Each pen of pigs was given the prestarter treatment feed and then was switched to the starter treatment diet for the remainder of the study. The control diet contained 50 g of Mecadox per tn and other treatments offered the same diet without the Mecadox. Pigs were weighed and feed disappearance was deter­mined weekly. One pig from each of the treatments was taken to the ISU Meat Labora­tory, slaughtered, and various muscles were evaluated for sensory and quality characteristics. Echinacea Experiments began in January 1998, with 100 pigs grouped in 20 pens of five pigs. Each pen of five pigs received approxi­mately 16 lb of the prestarter treatments and then was switched to the starter treatment. Increasing levels of Echinacea (0.0, 0.1, 0.5, and 2.0 percent) replaced equivalent weights of corn in the diet. Garlic The testing started in October 1997 on 80 pigs. The 20 pens of four pigs each were fed 63 lb of the prestarter treatments before chang­ing to the starter diet. Increasing levels of garlic powder (0.0., 0.5, 2.5, and 5.0 percent) replaced equivalent weights of corn in the diet. The 0 percent garlic was considered to be the negative control. Goldenseal Starting in March 1998, 80 pigs were tested and fed 63 lb of prestarter before beginning the starter treatment. Increasing lev­els of goldenseal (0.0, 0.1, 0.5, and 2.0 per­cent) replaced equivalent weights of corn in the diet. The goldenseal was analyzed and contained 2.8 percent berberine. Peppermint Ninety-five pigs were evaluated starting in July 1998. Fifteen pens of five pigs each and five pens of four pigs each provided Volume 8 (1999) 68 four replications of five dietary treatments. Two replicates were started on July 16, 1998, and two on July 23, with each pig receiving approximately 12.75 lb of their respective prestarter. Increasing levels of peppermint (0.0., 0.50, 2.50, and 5.0 percent) replaced equiva­lent weights of corn in the diet. Results and discussion Echinacea No pigs died or were removed from the study. The first week there were no statistical performance differences among the treatments. In the 0-to 2-week period, the 0 percent Echinacea treatment group required significantly more feed than the other treat­ments, but daily gain and feed intake were not statistically different. In weeks 0 to 3 and 0 to 4, the two high levels of Echinacea were sig­nificantly more successful in feed efficiency, but daily gain and feed intake were not signifi­cantly different. Total performance for the entire five-week experiment was not statisti­cally different from the control. Garlic Two pigs, both on the 2.5 percent garlic diet, died in the first and fourth weeks of the experiment. One observation was that the room and adjacent hallway had a very strong, objectionable odor of garlic combined with hog manure throughout the entire study. The overall summary for five weeks indicated the control diet with Mecadox significantly improved the daily gain compared with the garlic treatments. Generally, the higher the level of garlic, the poorer the daily gain. Over­all feed efficiency was best for 0 percent garlic (negative control), but was statistically differ­ent only when compared with the 2.5 percent garlic treatment. The highest level of garlic significantly reduced feed intake in weeks two, three, and five compared with the control diet. Average pH values increased and cooking losses decreased with added garlic. All pigs sampled had strong off-flavors, increasing as the garlic levels increased. Goldenseal No pigs died or were removed from the study. Additions of goldenseal pro­duced performance comparable with the Mecadox control during the first week. By the second week, the control diet average daily gain was significantly greater than the three higher levels of goldenseal. Control diet aver­age daily feed intake tended to be greater than the goldenseal diets. The third and fourth weeks found significantly greater gains and feed intake for the control pigs over all other treatments. The feed intake for the two highest levels of goldenseal tended to be greater than the 0.0 negative control. Overall feed intake was highest for the control diet. Overall feed efficiency was the lowest for the control diet when compared with the 0.0 and 0.5 percent treatments, but was not statistically different from the two highest levels. Peppermint No pigs died or were removed from the study. Pigs on all treatments, includ­ing the positive and negative control pigs, performed similarly over the entire experi­mental period. A statistically significant re­sponse to incremental increases in peppermint was not observed. For the first two weeks, the 0 percent negative control pigs required significantly more feed than both the control and the 2.5 percent pep­permint pigs. Generally, the positive control Nursery room of 20 pens with electronic scale in the fore­ground at ISU Swine Nutrition and Manage­ment Research Farm Leopold Center Progress Reports 69 John Simonson and Dan Johnson weigh­ing nursery pigs at the end of the test For more information contact Eric Franzenburg, Benton Development Group, Vinton, Iowa; phone (319) 228-8758 or Palmer Holden, Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011; 515/294-2240; email pholden@iastate.edu pigs and the added peppermint pigs performed similarly during this period. During the sec­ond two weeks, the 0.5 percent peppermint pigs consumed more feed than the 0 percent pigs in week 3 and both the 0 and 2.5 percent pigs in week 4. No statistical differences were observed in the overall data. Muscle tests after slaughter indicated that not much flavor was present in these young pigs, with very little difference between the peppermint levels and the control diets. Impact of results Echinacea These data suggest that higher levels of Echinacea enhanced pig feed effi­ciency compared to the 0 percent Echinacea during the first two weeks and were greater than the positive control diet with Medacox during the third and fourth weeks. Overall, performance was similar for all treatments, suggesting minimal stress during this experi­ment. Echinacea appears to offer performance enhancement and may be able to provide anti­microbial protection for nursery pigs, espe­cially during the first four weeks after wean­ing. Generally, all three inclusion levels per­formed similarly. As Echinacea has a very mild aroma, meat flavors were all within an acceptable range. Garlic Garlic at the levels fed in this study tended to depress feed intake and performance as the experiment progressed. The first week, pigs fed lower levels of garlic performed simi­larly to the positive control. Overall the high­est level of garlic had a feed efficiency similar to the positive control (medicated with carbadox). All treatments, including those without the garlic, resulted in objectionable flavors in the meat, possibly as a result of the strong garlic odor in the room. It is likely that by the time the pigs would have reached mar­ket size, after 16 weeks of no garlic exposure, the muscle flavor would not be affected. Goldenseal Goldenseal at the two higher levels appears to enhance feed efficiency over the 0.05 percent level during the first three-and four-week periods. Overall, growth rate and feed efficiency responses appear to be minimal. At present, we would not continue to evaluate goldenseal for this purpose because of product expense and a lack of potential effectiveness. Peppermint Nursery pigs fed different levels of peppermint had varied responses. During the first two weeks, pigs fed peppermint had somewhat improved feed efficiency over the negative control and were competitive with the positive control diet. Feed intake also appeared to be improved. As with other trials, the negative control pigs performed similarly to the positive control pigs, indicating that the health status of the pigs was quite high, or the stress levels were quite low. This situation confounds analysis of the results. However, the early peppermint inclusion performance justifies additional study. Education and outreach Four publications on the results of the four botanical tests were included in the 1998 Iowa State University Swine Research Report. Volume 8 (1999) 70 

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Botanicals as part of an integral value-added pork production system

Iowa State University Computer Science Technical Reports

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Botanicals as part of an integral value-added pork production system

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