The aim of this study was to investigate
the effects of Portulaca oleracea extracts on growth
performance and microbial populations in the ceca of
broilers. A total of 120 one-day-old broilers were randomly
divided into 3 groups. Portulaca oleracea extracts
were added to diets at 0.2 and 0.4% (wt/wt;
POL-0.2, POL-0.4), respectively. The control (CON)
group was administered with no P. oleracea extract
supplementation. Body weight gain and feed conversion
ratio were recorded every 2 wk. On d 28 and 42,
the cecal contents were collected and assayed for Escherichia
coli, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium populations.
Additionally, the pH of the ileum and cecum was
measured. The results showed that both on d 28 and 42
BW gain of P. oleracea extract supplementation groups
was significantly higher, whereas the feed conversion
ratio was lower (P < 0.05) compared with CON. On d
28 and 42, significantly (P < 0.05) fewer E. coli were
recovered from ceca of broilers provided with the POL-
0.2 diet than from broilers provided with the control
diet. The quantities of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium
of POL-0.2 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher
than CON. Results showed P. oleracea extracts have no
distinct influence on intestinal pH. These data suggest
that P. oleracea extract supplementation significantly
altered the cecal bacterial community without affecting
the intestinal pH.