investigate //
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 POL0.2 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.