Productive parameters, cecal microflora, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant status, and thigh muscle fatty acid profile in broiler chickens fed with Eucalyptus globulus essential oil

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different dietary inclusion of eucalyptus essential oil ( EEO ) on growth performance, relative organ weight, cecal microflora, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemical parameters, and thigh muscle fatty acid profile in broiler chickens. A total of six hundred 1-day-old male broiler chickens were randomly allocated into 5 treatment groups with 8 replicate pens, and each pen contained 15 birds. The experiment lasted for 42 d. Dietary treatments included corn–soybean meal-based diet supplemented with 0, 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 mg/kg EEO. The results indicated that dietary treatments had no effect on growth performance parameters in the 1 to 10 d period. From day 11 to 24, dietary supplementation of EEO showed a linear decrease in feed conversion ratio ( FCR , P < 0.05). From day 25 to 42 and the overall period (1–42 d), broilers fed with different levels of EEO showed a linear increase in body weight gain ( BWG ) and reduction in feed conversion ratio (linear, P < 0.05). The relative organ weight were unaffected by any of the dietary treatments. With increasing levels of EEO, the cecal Escherichia coli (linear, P = 0.085) count showed a trend in reduction, and the cecal lactic acid bacteria population tended to increase (linear, P = 0.063). The apparent ileal digestibility of ether extract and organic matter were linearly and quadratically increased in response to increasing dietary EEO supplementation ( P < 0.05). A trend of linear decrease in total cholesterol in the serum of birds fed with different levels of EEO was recorded ( P = 0.074). Eucalyptus essential oil's inclusion increased serum superoxide dismutase linearly but reduced serum malondialdehyde linearly ( P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of EEO affected the fatty acid profile of thigh muscle so that increased the concentrations of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (linear, P < 0.05) and reduced total saturated fatty acid contents (linear, P < 0.05). Taken together, the inclusion of EEO increased BWG and decreased FCR during day 25 to 42 and day 1 to 42, and partially improved cecal microflora balance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant activity, and thigh muscle fatty acid profile in broiler chickens.

Dietary Eugenol Nanoemulsion Potentiated Performance of Broiler Chickens: Orchestration of Digestive Enzymes, Intestinal Barrier Functions and Cytokines Related Gene Expression With a Consequence of Attenuating the Severity of E. coli O78 Infection

“…In agreement with our results, birds fed different levels of EOs over the period of 1-42 days showed increased BWG and better FCR when compared with the control unsupplemented group (48). Based on previous studies, the positive impact of EOs on the growth performance of broiler chickens could be attributed to their bioactive compounds capacity in augmenting the digestive and pancreatic enzymes secretion (48) and enhancing immune functions (49). Moreover, stimulating appetite and antimicrobial properties are likely to be other reasons explaining the roles of EOs in enhancing growth performance (11).…”

Effects of Three-Layer Encapsulated Tea Tree Oil on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, and Intestinal Microbiota of Weaned Pigs

“…TTO increased digestibility of protein, fat, and DM in diets. These results are consistent with feeding other essential oils to pigs ( 9 , 39 – 41 ) and broilers ( 42 ). The above essential oils are similar to TTO and contain numerous monoterpenes and sesquiterpene compounds.…”

Essential Oil Delivery Route: Effect on Broiler Chicken’s Growth Performance, Blood Biochemistry, Intestinal Morphology, Immune, and Antioxidant Status

“…The poultry meat industry is growing fast and is the cheapest source of animal protein for humans [ 1 ]. This substantive growth in the poultry industry has, over the years, been facilitated by the sub-therapeutic use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) [ 2 ]. The supplementation of AGPs at sub-therapeutic levels is broadly used to improve the growth rate, feed efficiency, and reduce morbidity and mortality in poultry birds [ 3 ].…”