DefinePK

Abstract

ABSTRACT Nowadays, there is an increasing concern among consumers regarding food safety, which has led to a growing interest in natural additives. This study investigated the impacts of bamboo leaf extract (BLE), a commercial product, on the growth performance and cecal microbiota of growing rabbits. One hundred and twenty-eight 6-week-old Ira rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. The control group was fed a basal diet, while the other groups received the basal diet added with 2.00/4.00/6.00 g BLE/kg. In relative to the control group, the rabbits fed a diet with 4.00 g BLE/kg showed significant improvement in average daily weight gain (p < 0.001) and a reduction in feed conversion ratio (p = 0.001). BLE supplementation in the diet significantly increased activities of superoxide dismutase in plasma, and catalase and superoxide dismutase in the liver (p < 0.001). The rabbits that consumed BLE-supplemented diets exhibited decreased abundances of Firmicutes (p = 0.042) and increased abundances of Bacteroidetes (p = 0.018), Coprococcus, and Anaeroplasma (p < 0.001). In summary, the inclusion of BLE in the feed diet enhances the growth performance, antioxidant properties, as well as cecal microbial composition of growing rabbits. Based on the results, it is recommended to add 4.00 g/kg of BLE to the diet.