Background:

Lactobacilli spp. They are the most used probiotic microorganisms in the pig industry, especially to improve the productive efficiency and the quality of the meat of fattening pigs.

Objective.

To determine the effect of oral administration of a biopreparation with Lactobacillus plantarum CAM-6 on the productive behavior and characteristics of the carcass of growing pigs.

Methods:

36 pigs [(Landrace × Pietrain) × Duroc] were randomized for 90 days (49 to 139 days of age), which were divided into three treatments and 12 repetitions per treatment. The treatments consisted of a basal diet (DB; T0); DB + antibiotic (T1) and DB + 5 ml of a probiotic biopreparation of Lactobacillus plantarum CAM-6 (T2). The productive behavior and the characteristics of the carcass (hot and cold) of the pigs were determined.

Results:

T1 and T2 improved (P <0.05) live weight, average daily gain and feed conversion in relation to T0; although without notable changes (P˃0.05) for food consumption and viability. In addition, the T3 increased (P <0.05) the performance of the carcass (cold), loin (hot and cold), shoulder (cold) and rib (cold) compared to T0 and T1. In addition, the T1 reduced the performance of the carcass (hot and cold), loin (hot), rib (hot) and leg (cold).

Conclusions:

The oral administration of a biopreparation with L. plantarum CAM-6 promoted the productive behavior of pigs in fattening compared to a diet without additive and a growth promoting antibiotic, in addition, T2 increased the performance of the edible portions (hot and cold) of pigs.