Abstract
The medicinal plant Dactylorhiza maculata (L.) Soó (family Orchidaceae) is used to treat gastritis, colic, gastrointestinal tract, and bladder diseases. This study aimed to investigate the properties and characteristics of the in vitro Dactylorhiza maculata extract. The recommended parameters for producing Dactylorhiza maculata extract were determined: temperature 60 °C, process duration 60 min, hydro module 1:10. It is recommended to carry out the extraction using an aqueous ethyl alcohol solution with a mass fraction of the parent substance of 70%. It was found that such biologically active substances as rutin, quercetin, 3,3′,4′,5,5′,7-hexahydroxyflavonone, 3,3′,4′,5,5′,7-hexahydroxyflavonone-3-O-glycoside, gallic acid, and ferulic acid were dominant in Dactylorhiza maculata. A high phosphorus content was noted (2410.8 mg/kg dry matter). The studied Dactylorhiza maculata samples contained a large number of organic acids and water-soluble vitamins. The tested extracts were safe in terms of the content of heavy metals, pesticides, aflatoxin B1, and radionuclides, as well as pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms; the content was significantly lower than the threshold limit values. The studied complex of biologically active substances from Dactylorhiza maculata extract samples had antimicrobial properties. It was found that the antioxidant activity of the samples was 217.89 ± 10.89 mg AA/g (AA—ascorbic acid). The high content of bioactive substances and the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of Dactylorhiza maculata extract samples determine the application potential of this plant as a substitute for growth stimulants and feed antibiotics in the production of feed additives, aiming to increase the physiological and immune status of livestock and poultry.
Highlights
Gastrointestinal diseases from various causes present a considerable problem for the livestock industry, as they lead to low productivity and the death of young animals [1]
This study aimed to investigate the properties and characteristics of the in vitro Dactylorhiza maculata extract
The conditions for the production process of Dactylorhiza maculata extracts enriched with biologically active substances (BAS) were selected
Summary
Gastrointestinal diseases from various causes present a considerable problem for the livestock industry, as they lead to low productivity and the death of young animals [1]. The number of studies on the use of medicinal plants in the treatment and prevention of a wide range of diseases in humans and animals has increased worldwide [5], including the development of feed additives, biologically active substances (BAS), that can replace antibiotics. This has to do with the fact that despite the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating and preventing livestock health problems, they contribute to the development of adaptation to them in pathogenic microorganisms [6]
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