Effect of Red Betel Leaf Extract (Piper crocatum) as Feed Additive on Ileal Characteristic and Intestinal Microflora in Broiler Chicken

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of red betel leaf extract (RBLE) as feed additive on the ileal characteristics and microflora population in broiler chicken. The method was in vivo experiment by using Completely Randomized Design. One hundred and sixty eight day old chicken strain Cobb allocated into 4 treatments and 6 replications. The treatments consisted of T0= basal feed (control). T1=basal feed + 0.5% RBLE. T2=basal feed + 1% RBLE. and T3=basal feed + 1.5% RBLE . The measured variable were: ileal length and weight, pH and viscosity of ileal content, population of microflora consisted of Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli, dan Salmonella sp. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and continued with Duncan’s multiple range test. The results showed that there were no significant different (P>0.05) effect of treatment toward intestinal characteristic aspects, but it significantly affected all microflora population. Conclusion of this research was addition of RBLE up to 1.5% does not cause a negative effect on intestinal characteristics, but improve non-pathogenic microflora population in broiler chicken.