Abstract
This chapter reviews the recent experimental experiences on efficacy, potential mechanisms of action, different aspects of application of aromatic, medicinal plants and their extracts or essential oils (EOs) in diets of broiler chickens as phytogenic feed additives. Phytogenic feed additives comprise wide varieties of herbs, spices, and botanical products such as aromatic, medicinal plants, their extracts and mainly their EOs. Those plant-based feed additives may improve the palatability of feed which may lead to advanced performance; have verified potent antioxidative and antimicrobial efficacy in broilers. A number of in vivo studies show that phytogenic feed additives may specifically enhance activities of digestive enzymes and nutrient absorption. Numerous experimental studies provide further comparisons of phytogenic feed additives with antibiotics and their analogous actions in the intestine, such as reduction of bacterial colony counts, fewer fermentation products (including proteins, amides, ammonia, biogenic amines), and lower immune responses of the intestinal tissue, thus reflecting an overall improved intestinal equilibrium. In addition, specific compounds of aromatic medicinal plants and their extracts have the potential to support intestinal mucus production and intestinal cell functionality. An improvement on intestinal health was observed as indicated by reduced incidences of wet litter and soft droppings in birds after dietary supplementation with plant-based feed additives. Moreover, phytogenic feed additives can potentially compensate for a reduced energy level in the diet, while maintaining production performance and feed utilization efficiency. Dietary supplementation of aromatic medicinal plants, herbs, spices, their extracts, or EOs as phytogenic products rich in antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds can improve feed utilization efficiency, performance, and economic benefits in broiler chicken production.
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