Growth and parameters of microflora in intestinal and faecal samples of piglets due to application of a phytogenic feed additive

Abstract

A commercial phytogenic feed additive (PFA), containing the fructopolysaccharide inulin, an essential oil mix (carvacrol, thymol), chestnut meal (tannins) and cellulose powder as carrier substance, was examined for effects on growth and faecal and intestinal microflora of piglets. Two experiments (35 days) were conducted, each with 40 male castrated weaned piglets. In experiment 1, graded levels of the PFA were supplied (A1: control; B1: 0.05% PFA; C1: 0.1% PFA; D1: 0.15% PFA) in diets based on wheat, barley, soybean meal and fish meal with lysine as the limiting amino acid. In experiment 2, a similar diet with 0.1% of the PFA (A2: control; B2: 0.1% PFA; C2: +0.35% lysine; D2: 0.1% PFA + 0.35% lysine) and lysine supplementation was utilized. During experiment 1, no significant effect of the PFA on growth, feed intake and feed conversion rate was observed (p > 0.05). Lysine supplementation in experiment 2 improved growth performance significantly, but no significant effect of the PFA was detected. Microbial counts in faeces (aerobes, Gram negatives, anaerobes and lactobacilli) during the first and fifth week did not indicate any significant PFA effect (p > 0.05). In addition, microflora in intestinal samples was not significantly modified by supplementing the PFA (p > 0.05). Lysine supplementation indicated lysine as limiting amino acid in the basal diet, but did not influence the microbial counts in faeces and small intestine respectively.

Effects of a blend of essential oils and an enzyme combination on nutrient digestibility, ileum histology and expression of inflammatory mediators in weaned piglets

“…Previous studies, regarding the effects of EO and enzymes on growth performance in piglets, are not always consistent. Similar to present study, EO and XB supplementation did not improve ADG in piglets fed wheat barley-based diets (Muhl and Liebert, 2007;Owusu-Asiedu et al, 2010). In contrast, increased growth performance was reported by other authors (Fan et al, 2009;Maenner et al, 2011).…”

Effects of oregano essential oil and attapulgite on growth performance, intestinal microbiota and morphometry in broilers

“…In an in vivo anti-bacterial study, Thapa et al (2012) concluded that beneficial commensal Faecalibacterium rausnitzii was sensitive to essential oils at similar or even lower concentrations than the pathogens. In addition, Cross et al (2007) and Muhl & Liebert (2007) reported that essential oils had no effect on the microbial population and composition in the digestive tract or faecal excretions of broilers. The inconsistency of blend application, especially in terms of growth performance, might be because of differences in the buffering capacity value of the diets.…”

Essential oils in the initial phase of broodstock diets of Nile tilapia

“…Kohlert et al (2000) observed that the absorption of thymol in humans occurs in the upper intestine. In pigs, essential oils can be absorbed in the proximal portion of the intestine, and therefore, the antimicrobial activity in the distal portion of the intestine is limited (Muhl and Liebert, 2007). Thus, these factors may also influence the use of active principles present in the additive under study in this experiment because little information about the absorption modes of these substances through the digestive tract of tilapia is available.…”

“…Probiotics used in broilers showed a final weight and weight gain similar to observations in animals supplemented with antibiotic growth promoters (Çabuk et al, 2006(Çabuk et al, , Traesel et al, 2011. Muhl and Liebert (2007) inclusion of a phytogenic additive in pig diets did not improve the performance or intestinal microflora of piglets. Hashemi and Davoodi (2010) and Hernandez et al (2004) attributed the positive effects of plant extracts on growth performance and nutrient digestibility to the appetite and digestion-stimulating and antimicrobial properties of these compounds.…”

“…The use of essential oils in the diet can promote improvement in the animal digestive tract (Chrubasik et al, 2005) by enhancing performance (Muhl and Liebert, 2007;Santurio et al, 2007). These substances act by stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes (Ramakrishnarao et al, 2003;Platel and Srinivasan, 2004), delaying gastric emptying (Manzanilla et al, 2004), accelerating the uptake of glucose by the intestine (Kreydiyyeh et al, 2003), or increasing the difficulty of pathogen adhesion to intestinal mucosa (Jamroz et al, 2006).…”