The present context was aimed to investigate the antibacterial potency of aqueous extract of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) leaves against bacterial pathogens isolated from the organs associated with digestive system of rabbit. This study also evaluated the influence of varied doses of aqueous extract of C. sativum (AECS) leaves on in vitro gas production (GP), methane (CH4) production, and some other pivotal fermentation parameters from caecal sample of rabbits. The pathogenic bacteria were isolated from mouth, caecum, and anus of rabbits, and further identified through morphological, biochemical, and molecular tools. The growth inhibitory characteristics of AECS against pathogens were determined using disc diffusion assay. Surprisingly, the result revealed lack of antibacterial potential at tested concentrations. Further, in order to demonstrate the in vitro GP and fermentation parameters in rabbits, four treatments comprising of 0, 0.6, 1.2, and 1.8 mL extract/g dry matter (DM) of AECS were used. Results showed no linear or quadratic effect (P > 0.05) on in vitro GP and CH4 production after the supplementation of AECS in the feeding diet. However, the inclusion of AECS at the concentration of 1.8 mL/g DM exhibited the lowest asymptotic CH4 production and initial delay prior to CH4 production. Similarly, the addition of AECS at 1.8 mL/g DM concentration reduced asymptotic GP as well as CH4 production, and improved fermentation parameters of rabbits when compared with the control and other tested doses. In a nutshell, the tested doses of AECS showed lack of antibacterial trait against the pathogenic bacteria isolated from mouth, caecum, and anus of rabbits. Besides, the AECS exhibited the unique potentiality of reducing GP and improving diversified fermentation parameters in rabbits, thereby suggesting its plausible role as an alternative to commercially available growth promoters in livestock industries.
Keywords: Antibacterial activity; C. sativum; Fermentation parameters; Gas production; Rabbits.
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