Essential Oils In Diet Research Articles

Artemisia afra essential oils inclusion in diets induces desirable effects on meat quality and fatty acid profiles of broilers chickens

The effects of Artemisia afra (African wormwood) essential oil incorporation in diets on meat quality and fatty acid profilers of broilers was assessed. Four hundred Cobb500 day-old chicks were obtained and placed randomly into the following 4 diets replicated 10 times: NC-Negative control (broiler diet without antibiotics), PC-positive control (broiler diet with zinc bacitracin), AA1-broiler diet + 0.1 % A. afra essential oil and AA2 - broiler diet + 0.3% A. afra essential oil. A pen having 10 chicks was regarded as the experimental unit. From the results, all carcass traits were influenced (P < 0.01) by diet apart from the dressing out percentage. The highest slaughter weights (1846g) and hot carcass weight (1427.36g) were obtained in birds fed the AA1 diet. Highest ultimate pH value (6.24) was obtained from the birds fed the AA1 while the highest values for meat lightness (L*) were obtained in birds offered the AA1 and NC diets (55.73 and 55.82). Cooking loss was highest in birds fed the NC (31.01%) diet. Birds fed the AA2 diet (23.7mg/g)) had the highest intramuscular fat followed by the AA1 fed birds. Inclusion of A. afra essential oils in diets also increased the proportion of PUFAs, n-6 and n-3 fatty acids and the PUFA/SFA ratios. In conclusion, the incorporation of A. afra essential oil in diets improved meat quality and fatty acid composition of broiler meat for the benefit of consumers.

Influence of thyme and turmeric essential oils supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilization and economics of Japanese quails

This experiment aimed to study the effect of dietary thyme and turmeric essential oils supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilization and economics of Japanese quails. For this purpose, a total of 180 six-day-old Japanese quail chicks were randomly assigned into five different treatment groups, each with three replicates (12 birds per replicate). The experiment was conducted for 35 days. Different treatment groups of Japanese quails were designated as T0 (Basal diet without essential oils), T1 (Basal diet with 0.2% thyme essential oil), T2 (Basal diet with 0.3% turmeric essential oil, T3 (Basal diet with 0.125% thyme + 0.075% turmeric essential oils), and T4 (Basal diet with 0.075% thyme + 0.125 % turmeric essential oils). At the end of experiment, it was found that dietary supplementation of thyme and turmeric essential oils reduced feed consumption, improved body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio, with Japanese quails of T4 group showing best performance during overall experimental period. The feed cost per kg weight gain was minimum in treatment T4 over other treatment groups. Addition of thyme and turmeric essential oils in diet significantly enhanced nutrient utilization in Japanese quails. In conclusion, supplementing thyme and turmeric essential oils in combination at 0.075% and 0.125% of feed improved growth performance, utilization of nutrients and reduced feed cost per kg weight gain in Japanese quails.

Investigation of endocrine response of thyroid and intestinal and adipose tissues due to the addition of Moringa oleifera essential oil in diet for quails exposed to heat stress

In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of Moringa oleifera essential oil (MOEO) supplementation to rations of Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica ) grown under heat stress (HS) on some adipokine (visfatin, adiponectin, and chemerin), intestinal (citrulline), 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid-stimulation hormone (TSH) levels in the serum. For this purpose, 320 day-old male quail chicks were used. The study was conducted over 42 days, including a 7-d adaptation period and a 35-d experimental period. [...]

Citrullus lanatus essential oils inclusion in diets elicit nutraceutical effects on egg production, egg quality, and physiological characteristics in layer hens

The study evaluated the effects of Citrullus lanatus essential oils inclusion in diet on egg production, egg quality, and physiological parameters in layer hens. A total of 72 White Leghorn point-of-lay hens at 18 wk were used for the study. The hens were randomly allocated to following 3 dietary treatments: 1) commercial layer diet (control), 2) commercial diet + 1 g C. lanatus essential oil/kg feed (1gCL), and 3) commercial diet + 2 g C. lanatus essential oil/kg feed (2gCL). Each treatment was replicated 8 times arranged in completely randomized design. From the results, an increase in total weight gain, average daily feed intake, and average daily gain was observed with inclusion of the C. lanatus essential oil. In addition, the inclusion of C. lanatus in diet improved the egg mass and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Hens fed C. lanatus–containing diets had higher egg mass (1gCL, 53.35 g ± 0.71; 2gCL, 53.99 ± 0.71 g) compared with the control (52.90 ± 0.71). The C. lanatus containing diets also had lower FCR than the control (1gCL [2.18 ± 0.22] and 2gCL [2.16 ± 0.22] vs. control [2.20 ± 0.71]). With regards to egg quality parameters, inclusion of C. lanatus oil appeared to reduce shell weight and shell ratio, while increasing albumen height and Haugh unit. Diets containing C. lanatus had significantly higher amounts of stearic acid, and linoleic acid was highest (P < 0.05) in the 2gCL fed hens. Birds fed the 2gCL diet (15.29 ± 0.60) had the highest total polyunsaturated fatty acids, total n-6 fatty acids (14.81 ± 0.59) and also had the highest n-6/n-3 ratio. An increase hematological values was observed with inclusion of C. lanatus essential oils in diets. Moreover, tibia bone parameters were also significantly improved with inclusion of C. lanatus essential oils in diets. It can be concluded that C. lanatus essential oil positively affected egg production, and quality and health of layer hens can be used successfully as a natural feed additive.

Essential oils in diets for Nile tilapia juveniles: Productive performance and plasmatic biochemistry

The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of increasing levels of a commercial mix of essential oils (EOs) from cashew (Anacardium occidentale) and castor bean (Ricinus communis) as an additive in diets for Nile tilapia. Thus, 240 juveniles with an initial weight of 35.06 ± 1.02 g were distributed in a completely randomized design (four treatments and six replicates) in 24 cylindrical-tapered tanks; the fish were fed for 60 days, four times a day, diets containing increasing levels of EO (0.10, 0.15 and 0.20%) and a control diet (without the additive). After the experimental period, the animals were desensitized, and an aliquot of blood was collected for the biochemical analysis; they were subsequently euthanized for the evaluation of productive performance and fillet chemical composition. No significant differences (p > .05) were observed in the analyses of productive performance, fillet chemical composition, and triglycerides, VLDL, total proteins, urea and glucose. However, significant differences (p < .05) were observed in the analyses of total cholesterol, HDL and LDL. Inclusion above 0.15 of the additive showed an improvement in the levels of lipoprotein carriers, increasing HDL levels and decreasing LDL values, without interfering with the fish productive performance.

Different essential oils in diets of broiler chickens: 2. Gut microbes and morphology, immune response, and some blood profile and antioxidant enzymes

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of three essential oils with different main chemical structures, i.e., cinnamon bark oil (CNO), clove bud oil (CLO) and ajwain seed oil (AJO) as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) on intestinal health, immune response and antioxidant status in broiler chickens. Four hundred one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into five dietary groups comprising of eight replicates (n=8) in each group. Each replicate contained ten chicks. Five dietary groups consisted of: 1) a basal diet (control; without any antibiotic and essential oils); 2) the basal diet+bacitracin methylene disalicylate added at a dose of 50mg/kg diet (AGP); 3) the basal diet+CNO at 300mg/kg diet (CNO); 4) the basal diet+CLO at 600mg/kg diet (CLO); and 5) the basal diet+AJO at 400mg/kg diet (AJO). Both AGP and CNO significantly increased the villi height in duodenum (P=0.004), jejunum (P=0.008) or ileuim (P=0.003) compared with the control. The counts of Escherichia coli in pre-caecal contents decreased (P=0.006) in the groups receiving AGP and CNO and the counts of Clostridium spp. decreased (P=0.029) in the AGP group compared with the control. Population of Lactobacilli spp. was not affected (P=0.39) by any diets. Antibody titers against Newcastle disease virus increased with CNO, CLO and AJO supplementation (P<0.001) compared with the control and AGP. The concentrations of cholesterol in serum reduced (P=0.030) in CNO, CLO and AJO groups compared with the control and AGP groups. Supplementation of CNO and CLO increased (P=0.001) the superoxide dismutase activity in serum compared with the AGP. In conclusion, supplementation of CNO could be more advantageous than the AGPs in diets due to its combined beneficial effects on immune response, gut health, antioxidant status and blood cholesterol in broiler chickens.

Different essential oils in diets of chickens: 1. Growth performance, nutrient utilisation, nitrogen excretion, carcass traits and chemical composition of meat

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of three different types of essential oils (EOs), i.e., cinnamon oil (CNO), clove oil (CLO) and ajwain oil (AJO) as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) on growth performance, nutrient utilisation, nitrogen excretion, carcass characteristics, and chemical and fatty acid composition of meat of broiler chickens. Four hundred one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into five dietary groups with eight replicates (n=8) per group. Each replicate contained ten chicks. Five dietary groups consisted of: 1) a basal diet (control; without any antibiotic or EOs); 2) the basal diet+bacitracin methylene disalicylate added at a dose of 0.05g/kg diet (AGP); 3) the basal diet+CNO at 0.3g/kg diet (CNO); 4) the basal diet+CLO at 0.6g/kg diet (CLO); and 5) the basal diet+AJO at 0.4g/kg diet (AJO). At the end of the trial (39 d), one chicken from each replicate (8 chickens per group) was slaughtered for measurements of carcass traits and chemical composition of meat. Broiler chickens fed either CNO or AGP increased (P≤0.05) the average daily gain, body weight and feed efficiency during the overall period. Total tract apparent retention of organic matter and crude protein increased (P≤0.05) due to AGP and CNO supplementation. Nitrogen excretion per kg body weight or edible meat was reduced in AGP or CNO group compared with the control, CLO and AJO groups. Concentrations of moisture and crude protein in meat were not affected by essential oils supplementation, while ether extract content was lower in meat of the AGP group. Supplementation of CNO tended to retain the concentrations of n-3 PUFA in breast meat. From the findings of this study, it is concluded that CNO at 0.3g/kg could be used as an alternative to AGP in commercial broiler diets to improve growth performance and nutrient utilisation while decreasing nitrogen excretion to the environment. It is further noted that the type of EOs has major influence on the growth performance of broiler chickens.

Influence of essential oils in diet and life-stage on gut microbiota and fillet quality of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Developing fish farming to meet the demands of food security and sustainability in the 21st century will require new farming systems and improved feeds. Diet and microbe interactions in the gut is an important variable with the potential to make a significant impact on future fish farming diets and production systems. It was monitored the gut microbiota of farmed rainbow trout using 16S rRNA profiling over 51 weeks during standard rearing conditions and feeding diet with supplementation of an essential oils (MixOil) mixture from plants (at a concentration in diet of 200 mg/kg). Gut microbiota 16S rRNA profiling indicated that the fish gut was dominated by Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Although the dietary supplementation with MixOil had no impact on either the composition or architecture of gut microbiota, significant changes in alpha and beta diversity and relative abundance of groups of gut bacteria were evident during growth stages on test feeds, especially upon prolonged growth on finishing feed. Fish fillet quality to guarantee palatability and safety for human consumption was also evaluated. Significant differences within the gut microbiota of juvenile and adult trout under the same rearing conditions were observed, The addition of essential oil blend affected some physicochemical characteristics of trout fillets, including their resistance to oxidative damage and their weight loss (as liquid loss and water holding capacity) during the first period of storage, that are two important parameters related to product shelf life and susceptibility to spoilage. The results highlighted the need for further studies concern dietary microbiome modulation at different life stages and its influence on animal health, growth performance and final product quality.

Effect of Supplemental Oregano Essential Oils in Diets on Production Performance and Relatively Intestinal Parameters of Laying Hens

This study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary oregano essential oils on 150 30-week-old Hy-Line Layers’ productive performance, egg quality characteristics, cecal microbiota, digestive enzyme activities, mucosa structure of the duodenum and jejunum and glucose and small peptides transporters expression in the duodenum and jejunum. All hens were allocated into one of five different groups: negative control (NC; basal diet only), antibiotics control (CS; basal diet plus 100 mg/kg of 10% colistin sulfate) and treatments I, II, and III (basal diet supplemented with 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg oregano essential oils, respectively). The results showed that the laying rate, average egg weight, feed conversion ratio and the activities of amylase and trypsin were significantly improved by a diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg oregano essential oils (P 0.05), significantly increased duodenum villus-height-to-crypt-depth ratios (P 0.05).

Evaluation of the effectiveness of supplementing micro-encapsulated organic acids and essential oils in diets for sows and suckling piglets

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of microencapsulated organic acids and essential oils (MOE) on reproductive performance, nutrient digestibility, piglet diarrhoea score, and blood profiles in sows and suckling piglets. A total of 60 multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) with an average initial body weight (BW) of 249.47 ± 11. 62 kg were used and randomly subjected to three treatments such that 20 replicates per treatment were maintained in this trial. Dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet supplemented with 0, 500, 1000 mg MOE/kg respectively. The BW of sows increased (linear, p = .014) before farrowing; after farrowing and weaning showed both linear and quadratic (p = <.001) effects with the increase in the dose of MOE in the diet. Further, results showed that tendency of reduced (p = .063) BW loss and increased (linear, p = .046) digestibility of dry matter in sows fed with MOE in the diet. The back fat loss and blood profiles were unaffected (p > .05) both in the sows and suckling piglets by the dietary treatment. Dietary inclusion of increasing level of MOE in sows’ diet increased (p < .05) BW, average daily gain, faecal score of suckling piglets and reduced the number of diarrheal piglets. Therefore, the addition of MOE can be considered as safe and effective enhancement in both farrowing and lactating sows as it favours the growth, nutrient digestibility and helps in avoidance of diarrhoea among suckling piglets.

Single and combined effects of zinc and cinnamon essential oil in diet on productive performance, egg quality traits, and blood parameters of laying hens reared under cold stress condition.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding zinc (Zn), cinnamon essential oil (Ci), or their combination in diet on productive performance, egg quality, and blood parameters of laying hens reared under cold stress condition (8.8 ± 3 °C). Feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), egg weight (EW), egg production (EP), and egg mass (EM) were evaluated during the 56-day trial period using 120 Lohmann LSL-Lite laying hens. Significant interactions between Ci and Zn on FCR, EW, EP, or EM were observed (P < 0.05). The EP, EM, and EW increased, whereas FCR decreased (P < 0.05) in the hens fed the diets including Ci and Zn (as single or combined form) compared to those fed the basal diet. There were significant interactions between Ci and Zn on the serum level of glucose and triglycerides as well as plasma concentration of zinc (P < 0.05), so that serum content of glucose and triglyceride decreased and the plasma content of zinc increased in the hens fed the diets including Ci and Zn (together) compared to those fed the basal diet. From the results of the present experiment, it can be concluded that diet supplementation by the combined form of Ci and Zn could have beneficial effects on performance and blood parameters of hens reared under cold stress condition.

Single and combined effects of vitamin C and oregano essential oil in diet, on growth performance, and blood parameters of broiler chicks reared under heat stress condition

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding vitamin C (VC), oregano essential oil (OR), or their combination in diet, on growth performance, and blood parameters of broiler chicks reared under heat stress (HS) condition (38 °C). One-day-old 240 male broilers were randomly assigned to four treatment groups, six replicates of ten birds each. The birds were fed with either a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with either 200 mg L-ascorbic acid/kg of diet, 250 mg of oregano essential oil/kg of diet, or 200 mg L-ascorbic acid plus 250 mg of oregano essential oil/kg of diet. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were obtained for 42 days of age and at the end of the experiment (day 42); birds were bled to determine some blood parameters and weighted for final body weight (BW). Feeding birds with diets supplemented with oregano essential oil and vitamin C in a single or combined form increased ADG (P > 0.05). Also BW increased and feed efficiency decreased (P < 0.05) in the birds fed with diets including VC and OR (in a single or combined form), compared to those fed the basal diet. ADFI was not significantly influenced by dietary oregano essential oil and vitamin C (P > 0.05). Supplemental oregano essential oil and vitamin C in a combined form decreased the serum concentration of corticosterone, triglycerides, glucose, and MDA (P < 0.05) compared with other groups. An increase in the serum concentrations of vitamin C were seen in broiler chicks supplemented with vitamin C. From the results of the present experiment, it can be concluded that diet supplementation by combined oregano essential oil and vitamin C could have beneficial effects on some blood parameters of broiler chicks reared under heat stress condition.

Inhibitory Effects of Dietary Caraway Essential Oils on 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine-Induced Colon Carcinogenesis is Mediated by Liver Xenobiotic Metabolizing Enzymes

The effects of dietary essential oils prepared from caraway seeds on colon carcinogenesis induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in rats has been studied. The number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and aberrant crypt (AC) induced by DMH were found to be significantly inhibited in colon of rats treated with essential oils in diet (0.01 and 0.1%). To find out the mechanism(s) by which the essential oils reduced colon premalignancies, plasma, liver, and colon tissues were collected and analyzed for parameters related to oxidative stress and xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes. Lack of influence of caraway extracts on hepatic lipid peroxidation products, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) may suggest that the oils do not interfere with these factors. However, it was clearly shown that DMH-related changes in hepatic and colonic cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) and glutathione S-transferae (GST) activities were recovered in liver but not in colon tissue in animals treated with caraway oil preparations. In conclusion, histopathological and biochemical data clearly showed that inhibition of colon premalignant lesions induced by DMH is mediated by interference of caraway oil components in the activities of the main hepatic xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Thyme Essential Oil in Mice

Plant essential oils are plant secondary metabolites possessing various pharmacological properties, primarily anti-oxidative, antimicrobial or immunomodulatory ones. The aim of this work was to study the effects of thyme essential oil dietary administration in murine DTH/ CHS reaction, carrageenan paw oedema and TNBS colitis. Thyme essential oil was added to the murine diet at three concentrations (5000, 2500 and 1250 ppm) and fed to Balb/c mice. The extent of ear swelling in DTH/CHS reaction and paw oedema induced by carrageenan application was measured using the Mitutoyo thickness gauge. In the model of TNBS colitis we evaluated the changes in body weight, the colon weight : body weight ratio, bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes, and macroscopical and histological scores. IL-1β and IL-6 messenger RNA expression in colonic samples of one experimental group were assessed using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. Dietary supplementation with 5000 ppm of thyme essential oil significantly decreased paw oedema and ear swelling. This thyme essential oil concentration caused a significant inhibition of total mRNA IL-1β expression in the mouse colon, and markedly decreased the macroscopic and microscopic scores of colitis. On the other hand, the 1250 ppm of thyme essential oil in diet increased ear oedema induced by oxazolone application in mice. Our study indicates that thyme essential oil is able to affect murine experimental inflammatory models depending on the concentration used. It is concluded that the anti-inflammatory effects of thyme essential oil should be interpreted with a caution due to its contradictory, dose-related effects.