ABSTRACT

The effect of Ocimum gralissimwn on gut health in weanling piglets was investigated. Extracts from the plant was administered per  at 1 00mg/kg Body weight 8 pre-weaned piglets were grouped into 2. each group was made up of 11 mc piglets/Group b received the test material at 100mg/kg body weight while group W did not receive the test material. Data was collected on body weight, tests for serum glutain ale Oxoloaceiaie Iransain inase (SGPT), Serum glu Ia/nate Pyru v/c Iransaminase 'SGPT,, packed Cell Voiwne (PCV) and haeinoglobin (HB), bacteria flora, helmiuth, undigested starch and faecal trypsin were carried out. The data was found to exist betweeii the test group (B) and control group (W) in body weight at 0.284, 0.603, o.419, 0.256 and 0.121 for week 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively. For SGOT and SGPT, no Significant difference was found at 0.573 and 0.184. undigested starch was hot detected in the faecal sample in both groups. Activity of faecal tiypsin was present in both groups. The test ingredient did not limit the bacterialflora in the gut. However, it limited the activities of hehninth. There was no significant difference between the HB and PCV of. both groups at 0.676 arid 0.904. These indicate that the test ingredient at the concentration given did not have much effect on the gut of wailing piglets.