Effects of Scutellaria baicalensis and Lonicera japonica extract mixture supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles and meat quality in finishing pigs

A total of 135 [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] finishing pigs with initial body weight (BW) of 44.2 ± 2.23 kg were used in this 12-wk trial to evaluate the effects of an herbal extract mixture (Scutellaria baicalensis and Lonicera japonica, HEM) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles and meat quality. The dietary treatments were supplemented with 0, 0.025% and 0.05% HEM, respectively. There were 9 replications per treatment with 5 pigs per pen. During 1-6 wk, the inclusion of HEM linearly increased (p