Effects of Supplementation with a Quebracho Tannin Product as an Alternative to Antibiotics on Growth Performance, Diarrhea, and Overall Health in Early-Weaned Piglets

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The restriction of the use of antibiotics in swine production worldwide has influenced pork production efficiency. New in-feed additives must be sustainable, prevent diarrhea in early weaning piglets, and promote growth performance. Novel in-feed additives, probiotics, prebiotics, organic compounds, mineral salts and vegetable extract have been extensively studied; most have shown some limitations that discourage extensive use. We investigated the plant extract MGM-P (a quebracho tannin product) as an alternative animal feed additive to antibiotics. We considered its unique structure, antibacterial, antioxidant, radical scavenging, and anti-inflammatory activities, and sustainability. We began with a low-level addition trial; 0.3% MGM-P had a more robust effect than 0.2% MGM-P. The findings demonstrated that 0.3% MGM-P supplementation prevented diarrhea in 21-day-old weaned piglets, improving piglet health without adversely influencing growth performance. Practical studies of the mechanisms underlying the effects of MGM-P and the optimal amount for supplementation are needed to confirm our findings. ABSTRACT: This study assessed the feasibility of using a vegetable extract, MGM-P (quebracho tannin product), as an alternative to antibiotics for weaned piglets; it investigated MGM-P effects on growth performance, diarrhea, and overall health in early-weaned piglets. In total, 24 piglets were allocated to three treatment groups fed basal diets supplemented with 0, 0.2%, or 0.3% MGM-P for 20 days. The addition of 0.3% MGM-P to the diet of early-weaned piglets improved diarrhea incidence, hematological parameters, and intestinal mucosa structure. Furthermore, the addition of 0.2% or 0.3% MGM-P to the diet of early-weaned piglets did not affect their overall health. Importantly, MGM-P had no effects on average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), or feed conversion ratio (FCR). Gut morphology analysis showed that treatment with 0.3% MGM-P enhanced the jejunal villus height (p < 0.05) while reducing the ileal crypt depth (p < 0.05) and colon mucosal thickness (p < 0.05). Collectively, the findings suggested that the use of MGM-P as an alternative to dietary antibiotics could improve diarrhea incidence in early-weaned piglets without negative effects on growth performance or overall health.