Chitosan nano-encapsulation improves effects of mint, thyme, and cinnamon essential oils in broilers

What is it about?

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of chitosan nano-encapsulating mint (MEO), thyme (TEO) and cinnamon (CEO) essential oils (EOs) used in the diet on performance, immune responses and intestinal bacteria (microflora) population in Ross 308 broiler chickens, using a 2 × 4 factorial experiment as completely randomised design with 8 experimental groups (diets) with 5 replicates of 15 chicks each . The eight experimental diets consisted of no EO and free distiller water (control); no EO and chitosan nano-encapsulated (CNE) distiller water; and other six treatments with free or CNE form of MEO, TEO and CEO. Both EOs and the CNE form improved significantly body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (at 29–42 and 1–42 days), serum IgY and IgM concentrations (at 35 and 42 days), and intestinal Lactobacillus spp. and E. coli populations (at 42 days) in broilers. The most effects was obtained by TEO on performance and TEO and CEO on IgY42 concentrations and the microbial populations. These effects were intensified by Chitosan nano-encapsulation.

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Photo by Vincent Botta on Unsplash

Photo by Vincent Botta on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Chitosan nano-encapsulation because of its ideal properties can be used as an effective, suitable and inexpensive method for protecting bioactive compounds and improving effects of the herbal essential oils (as natural and safe additives) especially thyme on performance, immunity and intestinal microflora in broiler chickens.

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