Chapter 5 - Aromatic plants and their extracts pharmacokinetics and in vitro/in vivo mechanisms of action

Abstract

Modern trends in the production and use of safe food for the daily diet of people, without residues of synthetic and chemical compounds, are increasingly emphasized due to the high demands of consumers. Different contaminants can be transferred to the products of animal origin through the animal feed and therefore animal feed quality have a great importance in food chain. For this reason, modern science has increasingly focused its interest in using medicinal, aromatic, and spice plants as well as their extracts and biologically active compounds isolations in animal nutrition against various infectious and noninfectious livestock diseases, as they are of great therapeutic and welfare importance. Considering the aforementioned fact, the purpose of this chapter is to provide an introduction into the world of medicinal, aromatic, and spice plants, and their EOs. Pharmacokinetics, in vitro and in vivo mechanisms of action, limitations, and perspectives of their usage and application in feed will be highlighted trough this chapter.