Abstract: The aim of the experiment was to study the effect of curcumin replacing antibiotics on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and fecal microbial population of fattening pigs. Forty-eight pigs weighing about 50.0±2.85 kg of "Long×Large" binary fattening pigs were randomly divided into 4 groups with 12 replicates each, and 1 pig in each replicate. The pre-test period was 3 d and the formal test period was 60 d. The control group of fattening pigs was fed a basal diet, while groups 1, 2 and 3 were supplemented with 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg of curcumin (Curcumin/Cur) in the basal diet, respectively, as groups Cur-1, Cur-2 and Cur-3. The results showed that the total weight gain and average daily weight gain of fattening pigs in the Cur-2 group were significantly higher than those of other experimental groups and the control group (P<0.05); the feed-to-weight ratio was significantly lower than those of other experimental groups and the control group (P<0.05). The digestibility of nutrients for dry matter, calcium, phosphorus, and crude fat in the Cur-2 group was significantly higher than that of the other experimental groups and the control group (P<0.05); and the counts of Salmonella spp and Escherichia coli in feces in the Cur-2 group were significantly lower than that of the other experimental groups and the control group (P<0.05), and the counts of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium increased significantly in the Cur-2 group. The results of the study showed that the addition of 400 mg/kg curcumin improved the growth performance and nutrient digestibility, increased the number of beneficial bacteria and decreased the number of harmful bacteria in fecal microflora of fattening pigs.

Key words: curcumin, fattening pigs, growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microorganism