In vitro and in vivo evaluation of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oil as an alternative for antibiotic in quail diet1

Abstract

The thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oil was assessed as antibiotic growth promoter replacement in quail chick diet and in vitro test. In total, 250-d-old Japanese quail chicks (mixed sex) were allocated into 5 dietary treatments of 5 replications (6 females and 4 males in each cage with the size of 40× 90× 25 cm) under a completely randomized design. The dietary treatments were included the control diet, control diet without any additive, control diet plus 100 ppm flavophospholipol as an antibiotic growth promoter, control diet plus 200 ppm TVE, control diet plus 300 ppm TVE, and control diet plus 400 ppm T. vulgaris essential (TVE) oil. Feed intake, BW gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), organs weight, morphology of intestine, serum lipids, and microbial population were measured on day 35. Lipid oxidation of stored muscle tissue was measured by TBARS test. GC–MS assay, DPPH method, and well diffusion method were evaluated for determination of components, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, respectively. FCR improved significantly in 400 ppm TVE compared with 200 and 300 ppm TVE (P < 0.05). The serum triglyceride decreased significantly in both sexes receiving 400 ppm TVE compared with control. Villi height increased significantly in duodenum accompanied by decreasing crypt dept at all TVE levels compared with control and antibiotic. The breast muscle tissue of quail fed on 300 and 400 ppm TVE reduced the rate of oxidation during refrigerated storage compared with control. Thymol was the main component (35.40%) of the thymus oil. The considerable antioxidant activity of TVE was identified by IC50 of 58.48 µg/mL. Moreover, zones of growth inhibition of Gram-positive bacteria and Escherichia coli were numerically greater in different doses of TVE than antibiotics. Therefore, The TVE is suitable alternative component for antibiotic growth promoters by dosing consideration. However, it is possible that antibiotic resistance would increase for these natural compounds along the time.

Dynamics and Diversity of Microbial Contamination in Poultry Bedding Materials Containing Parts of Medicinal Plants

“…Due to the documented activity of essential oils against microbial threats in poultry production [20][21][22][23][24], they have been studied in two poultry production applications: animal feed supplementation [52][53][54] and antimicrobial fogging of poultry houses [55]. Our study expands the literature on applications of essential oils as active components of poultry bedding materials.…”

“…Therefore, the potent antimicrobial activity of the tested bedding materials (P1-P6) is due to the high content of these two ingredients. Mellissa officinalis, Salvia officinalis and Thymus vulgaris stems contain smaller, yet noticeable amounts of essential oils, whose activities against microbials present in poultry production have also been demonstrated [22][23][24]. These raw materials are typically treated as wastes of herbal production.…”

“…They have an important advantage over other types of bedding materials, i.e., a potential biological activity. The activity of natural products from medicinal plants against microbial threats in poultry production has been widely documented, e.g., for Satureja hortensis L. [20], Origanum vulgare L. [21], Melissa officinalis L. [22], Salvia officinalis L. [23], and Thymus vulgaris L. [24]. Their activity has also been proven against several methicillinresistant poultry bacteria threatening public health, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Brevibacterium ammoniagenes, and Streptococcus mutans [18].…”

Phytochemicals as Alternatives to Antibiotics in Animal Production

“…This will result in increased weight gain, feed intake, and a better feed conversion ratio [85]. In numerous studies, thyme oil has proven its antibacterial effect, even for multidrug-resistant strains of Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, or Campylobacter [86,87]. The treatment with thymol oil determines the improvement of the general condition of the animals, through the bacterial balance established at the intestinal level.…”

Effects of Dietary Essential Oils Supplementation on Egg Quality, Biochemical Parameters, and Gut Microbiota of Late-Laying Hens

“…A variety of microorganisms reside in the chicken digestive tract, forming symbiotic relationships that affect nutrition, metabolism and immunity [ 15 ]. In numerous studies, plant essential oils are further claimed to improve intestinal health indices in poultry [ 16 , 17 ]. However, there are still relatively few studies about the effects of EO on the performance, serum biochemical indices and gut microbes of aged hens.…”