Effect of Herbs and Black or White Pepper on Fecal Characteristics and Lactic Acid Bacteria in PE Goat

The prohibition of antibiotic usage in animal feed has increased the use of antibiotics, which are natural medical medicines manufactured from herbs. Herbs could stimulate the development of the intestinal microbiota. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of herbs on lactic acid bacteria in fecal PE (Peranakan Ettawa) goats. Twentyfive PE goats were randomly assigned to five feeding groups, each consisting of five animals: P0 (control, no herbs); P1 (Melastoma malabathricum); P2 (Melastoma malabathricum + white pepper); P3 (Melastoma malabathricum + black pepper); and P4 (Melastoma malabathricum + white pepper + black pepper). Results showed that treatments influence pH and fecal score. Based on the Pearson correlation, there was a correlation between fecal pH and fecal score as well as lactic acid bacteria, and the pH optimum for the development of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in this was about 6.9-7.