“…The formation of the three horizontal clusters (Figure 2): 1) symbiotic, negative and OA + S; 2) positive control and EO; and 3) organic acids and S+OE are probably justified by the similarity in their mode of action. Symbiotic and organic acids are similar in reducing pH, maintaining a healthy microbial balance in the gut and promoting intestinal integrity and immune health, selectively reducing colonization by pathogenic microorganisms such as E. coli, Salmonella and C. perfringens (Funari Junior et al, 2011;Jha Rajesh et al, 2020;Stefanello et al, 2020). The similarity of the positive control (antibiotic) with the essential oil is due to the effect that both have in limiting pathogenic bacteria in the intestinal lumen, increasing some beneficial microorganisms to the intestinal microflora (Toledo et al, 2007;Fernandes et al, 2014), and finally the association of organic and symbiotic acids + essential oil is due to the beneficial effects that these additives have in protecting the intestinal mucosa, which is responsible for the digestion and absorption processes, preventing microbial infections, acting in the bacterial cell, preventing its growth and multiplication (Zardo et al, 2015;Stefanello et al, 2020).…”