The emergence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics has made it necessary to replace antibiotics with alternatives such as probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, and herbal essential oils. As a result, in recent years, interest in plant-based extracts and essential oils (EOs) as a natural alternative to Antimicrobial Growth Promoters (AGPs) has grown significantly. EOs are aromatic, oily extracts obtained from different parts of a plant, for example, flowers, buds, seeds, leaves, twigs, bark, herbs, wood, fruits, or roots. The composition of EOs is variable and may include several mixtures of compounds that have been extracted from different parts of plants. EOs have several properties to support their use in poultry feed:
- Simulate digestive enzymes
- Improve gut health
- Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Coccidiostat
- Boost immunity
Essential oils can be classified into two main categories: (1) Natural and (2) Synthetic.
Natural essential oilsare extracted directly from plants through processes such as steam distillation, cold pressing and solvent extraction. These oils are pure and contain the natural chemical compounds found in the plant, giving them their characteristic aroma and therapeutic properties.
Synthetic essential oils are made in a laboratory using artificial ingredients to mimic the aroma and properties of natural essential oils. While synthetic essential oils may be cheaper and more consistent in their chemical composition, they do not contain the same natural chemical compounds found in plant-derived oils and may not have the same therapeutic benefits.
COMPOSITION OF OREGANUM ESSENTIAL OILS
| Major Active Component | Composition % |
| Carvacrol | 60-65% |
| Thymol | 1-3% |
| p-Cymene | 5-10% |
| γ-Terpinene | 4-9% |
| α-Terpinene | 1.5% |
| Linalool | 5% |
| Terpinen-4-ol | 2% |
| β-Caryophyllene | 2-5% |
There are four important utilities of Oregano essential oil for poultry nutrition:
- Enhance nutrient digestibility and utilization
Essential oils have a positive impact on gut health by increasing enzyme activity and digestive secretions like mucus and bile. Digestive enzymes are produced in high quantity which result in improved digestion and absorption of nutrients. Essential oils stabilize the gut microbial population, which has a significant effect on feed conversion. EOs improves the secretion of Pepsin and HCl to accomplish digestion of protein.
- Antioxidant property and improved meat quality
The antioxidant mechanisms of EOs are based on both their ability to donate a hydrogen or an electron to free radicals, and their ability to delocalize the unpaired electron within the aromatic structure thus protecting other biological molecules against oxidation. Oregano essential oil is a catalyst for achieving this equilibrium. Efficient broiler production is about striking the perfect balance. It’s about nurturing the growth of healthy birds, ensuring the highest meat quality, and doing so in a cost-effective manner. Meat should be succulent, tender, and devoid of imperfections. Oregano essential oil plays an instrumental role in ensuring this standard. By preventing lipid peroxidation and preserving cell membrane integrity, it guarantees that every cut of meat is not only visually appealing but also resistant to shrinkage and drip loss.
- Antimicrobial Property
Oregano essential oil contains active compounds such thymol and carvacrol, which are known to have antibacterial properties. The beneficial effects of these compounds are generally linked to their hydrophobicity, which is responsible for interactions between these compounds and the microorganism’s cell membrane. Thymol, and carvacrol also have high antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium, both of which are potential risk factors of enteric infections.
- Immunomodulator effects
Several factors, including mycotoxin, infectious diseases, ineffective vaccination program, and overuse of some antibiotics can lead to immunosuppression.To improve the bird’s immunity and decrease the susceptibility to infectious diseases, immune modulators could be used. The immune systems of poultry benefit from the use of herbal essential oils (EOs) because they promote the production of immunoglobulins, enhance lymphocyte activity and boost interferon-γ release.
HowOREGANO ESSENTIAL OILessential oil enhances meat quality?
Broiler production is an intricate dance of genetics, nutrition, and management, all aimed at achieving optimal growth, meat quality, and cost-effectiveness. In this dynamic arena, Oregano essential oilsolution has emerged as a game-changer. This innovative natural solution contains 30 natural compounds which transforms broiler production by enhancing performance and unlocking the true potential of nature. These compounds work in synergy not only offer as anti-microbial, anti-coccidia but powerful oxidative protection, mitigate stress factors like heat and mycotoxins, and prevent lipid peroxidation leading to optimal growth of animals, reduced shrinkage and drip loss, and a profound impact on the poultry industry’s bottom line.
Here’s the story of a commercial trial project, specifically focusing on broiler production in a closed house system. With two commercial houses, each accommodating 38,000 birds, this trial aimed to evaluate the remarkable benefits of incorporating Oregano essential oil Liquid 8% into the regimen. The primary objectives were to enhance meat quality by reducing Shrink Loss and Drip Loss while assessing the economic implications of using this revolutionary solution.
Table below shows data and computation on % Shrinkage Loss
| Control | Treatment (Oregano essential oil) | Difference | |
| TotalWeightatFarm(kg) | 3,318 | 3,271 | – |
| No.ofHeads | 1,999 | 1,999 | – |
| TotalWeightatDressingPlant(kg) | 3,190.00 | 3,190.00 | – |
| No.ofDeathonArrival(DOA) | 34 | 5 | 29 |
| % DOA | 1.70% | 0.25% | 1.45% |
| WeightofDOA | 55.08 | 8.2 | – |
| NetWeight, kg | 3,134.92 | 3,181.80 | – |
| %Shrinkage | 3.85% | 2.49% | A1.36% |
| Netvolume,Heads | 1,965 | 1,994 | -29 |
| AverageLiveWeight,kg | 1.6 | 1.6 | – |
| %Recovery | 94.49% | 97.26% | -2.77% |
| DripLoss% | 4.0% | 3.0% | 1.0% |
DOA: Death on Arrival
Financial Implication
| Control | Treatment | Difference | |
| Parameter | |||
| No of Birds | 37,718 | 37,785 | |
| Farm to Abattoir (Hr) | 2.5 | 2.5 | |
| Age (Days) | 32 | 32 | |
| ALW (kg) | 1.6 | 1.6 | |
| Mortality (%) | 14.96 | 14.00 | 0.96 |
| FCR | 1.94 | 1.93 | |
| % Harvest Recovery | 84.94 | 86.00 | 1.06 |
| Shrink Loss (%) | 3.85 | 2.49 | 1.36 |
| Drip Loss (%) | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Revenue (USD) | 108628 | 108821 | |
| Feed Cost (USD) | 73758 | 73508 | |
| DOSTO Cost (USD) | 164 | ||
| Gross Margin (USD) | 34870 | 35149 | |
| Shrinkage Cost (USD) | 230 | 147 | 83 |
| Drip Loss (USD) | 418 | 318 | 100 |
| Net Margin (USD) | 34222 | 34688 | 462 |
| ROI | 2.82 |
ALW: Average Live Weight; FCR: Feed Conversion Ratio; ROI: Return on Investment.
Conclusion
Oregano essential oil Solution proved to be a game-changer in broiler production. Its ability to optimize growth, enhance meat quality, and reduce losses through the synergistic power of 30 natural compounds is nothing short of revolutionary. As the poultry industry seeks innovative solutions, this trial offers compelling evidence that Oregano essential oil Liquid is a catalyst for success in broiler production.
by Dr Lee Hock Hee, Dr B Ashok Reddy & Sarwar Ali
