Oil Cakes of Essential Oil Plants as a Source of Prebiotics for Poultry Production

Abstract

The oil cakes of essential oil plants were screened for prebiotic properties for further development of prebiotic feeds for livestock animals based on these essential oil plants’ extracts. For screening, a microbiota model of the chicken cecum, which was created on the basis of an artificial intestinal medium, was used. This model renders it possible to simulate conditions close to intestinal ones. Oligofructose, inulin, β-glucan, psyllium seeds, and apple fiber at a concentration of 0.5% were used as substances with known prebiotic properties. The oil cake concentration was 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 4%. The direct antimicrobial effect of the cakes on intestinal bacteria was also investigated. The ability of the cakes to stimulate a decrease in the pH level by Lactobacillus was studied under conditions close to intestinal ones. It was shown that the cakes of big seed false flax (Camelina sativa), brown mustard (Brassica juncea), and spicate lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) exhibit prebiotic properties in relation to the microbiome of chickens in model experiments. They enhance the acid-forming properties of lactic acid bacteria, thereby lowering the pH of the medium. This leads to a decrease in the number of Enterococcus, Escherichia coli, and lactose-positive bacteria, as well as a complete suppression of Proteus. The optimal oil cake concentrations are 1% and 2%. These oil cakes are promising sources of prebiotics for the development of prebiotic feed for agriculture.