The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of Mallotus philippensis (local name 'Kamela') leaf meal on rumen ciliate protozoal population, enzyme profile and fermentation characteristics in growing crossbred calves. Ten growing crossbred (Jersey — Tharparker) calves with an average body weight of 91.8±1.37 kg were divided in to two equal groups (G1 and G2) and fed individually under stall feeding for 140 days on a mixed ration containing paddy straw and concentrate mixture in 50:50 ratio. Two types (C1 and C2) of isonitrogenous concentrate mixtures were prepared. Wheat bran in concentrate mixture (C2) of test group (G2) was partially replaced (4 parts w/w) with sun dried ground Mallotus philippensis leaf meal. Experimental calves of test group (G2) were fed Mallotus philippensis leaf meal @ 2% of the diet. No significant differences were noticed between the two groups for daily dry matter intake while nutrient digestibility, i.e. organic matter and cellulose digestibility were higher in Mallotus philippensis leaf fed calves (G2). However, rumen pH, ammonia nitrogen concentration and total rumen protozoal as well as holotrich and spirotrich protozoal population decreased while ruminal TVFA and propionic acid production increased due to supplementation of Mallotus philippensis leaf. Activities of rumen fibre degrading enzymes e.g. carboxymethyl cellulase, xylanase and β-glucosidase enzyme activities were also higher in Mallotus philippensis leaf meal fed calves (G2). It is concluded that supplementation of Mallotus philippensis leaf have a potential for reducing rumen protozoal population and ammonia nitrogen concentration with improving rumen fibre degrading enzyme activities and nutrient digestibility in growing crossbred calves.

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Calf diarrhoea remains the biggest challenge both in the small and large farms. Infectious diarrhoea is associated with many pathogens, E coli being one but, majority are systematically treated with antibiotics. Since antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing menace, the need to find alternative prophylactic solutions using popular kitchen herbs such as Trachyspermum ammi (Carom seeds), Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) and Cinnamon (Cinnamomum sp.) extracts is been investigated against virulent form of E. coli isolated from calf diarrhoea. The virulence factors identified in these isolates were ST (32.5%), LT (20%), eaeA (15%), stx1 (2.5%) and stx2 (5%) with the occurrence of the most common serogroups as O18 (15%) followed by O111 (12.5%). Highest resistance was seen with β lactamase inhibitor (Amoxicillin/Clavalinic acid) followed by β lactams (Ampicillin, Cefuroxime and Cefepime). Antibacterial effect of cinnamon (methanol) and carom seed (ethanol) extracts was found to be highly sensitive at higher concentration of the extract (500 to 250 µg/ml) while, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of turmeric was significantly higher (P<0.05) followed by cinnamon. Turmeric, cinnamon and carom had the potency of inhibiting the pathogenic E coli which maybe suggestive of its use in calf diets as prophylaxis against diarrhoea.

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