Exploring Antibiotic Alternatives - Essential oils (EOs) hold promise

Authored by: Shraddha Thakkar, MSc, MS, Ph.D. Candidate

Department of Physiology and Biophysics, and Bioinformatics Graduate Program

University of Arkansas at Little Rock/University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

4301 W. Markham # 750 Little Rock, AR 72205, USA

Introduction:

There is worldwide concern over the present state of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among zoonotic bacteria that potentially circulate among food-producing animals including poultry, beef and dairy cattle, goats, sheep and aquaculture (Gyles, 2008; Prescott, 2008). This has resulted in the general public's perception that antibiotic use by human beings and in food animals selects for the development of AMR among food-borne bacteria that could complicate public health therapies (DuPont, 2007). A major issue is that AMR may not only occur among disease-causing organisms but has also become an issue for other resident organisms in the host (Yan and Gilbert, 2004). Although antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) have been successfully utilized during food-animal production since their efficacy was first described during the 1940s, the exact modes of action are not fully understood and are probably multi-factorial (Gaskins et al., 2002; Dibner and Richards, 2005; Niewold, 2007). Sub-therapeutic use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feeds was discontinued in the European Union (Regulation EC No. 1831/2003 of the European parliament and the council of 22 September 2003 on additives for use in animal nutrition; Castanon, 2007). The concern over AMR and use of AGPs may be justified with increasing incidences of antibiotic resistance among bacterial pathogens (NAS, 2006; Gyles, 2008; Prescott, 2008) including bacteria from healthy animals (Persoons et al., 2010). Consequently, there is a need for developing novel intervention methods including narrow-spectrum antimicrobials and probiotics that selectively target pathogenic organisms while avoiding killing of beneficial organisms (NAS, 2006).

However, AGP bans have had a negative impact on animal health and productivity in some countries (Casewell et al., 2003). Therefore, reducing AGPs create challenges for the animal feed and feed additive industries. Effective alternatives to AGPs are urgently needed to help maintain current animal production levels without threatening public health and this should stimulate new research (Millet and Maertens, 2011).

One such class of comparable alternative is natural source of herbs and medicinal plants. In the last decade, these alternatives have been increasingly used in broiler, layer and Japanese quail diets.

Reports have variously claimed that medicinal plants, used as either the whole plant, their leaves or flowers, can enhance poultry performance.

Nativol increases the nutritive balance of feed and performance of the birds. It is a mix of rosemary, cassia, oregano and marigold in a controlled ratio.

It helps support:

► Gut health.

► Antioxidant Activity.

► Antibacterial.

► Coccidiosis prevention.

► Growth Promoter.

► Flavor and Palatability of Feed.

Oreganum Vulgare:

Oregano is a perennial herb, growing from 20–80 cm tall, with opposite leaves 1–4 cm long. It is sometimes called wild marjoram, and its close relative O. majorana is known as sweet marjoram.

Main Constituents are Carvacol, Thymol and Carophyllene. Oregano is high in antioxidant activity, due to a high content of phenolic acids and flavonoids. Used as an Antioxidant, Antibacterial for poultry. It helps to prevent the prevent Coccidiosis.

Rosmarinus officinalis:

Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly known as rosemary, is a woody, perennial herb with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple, or blue flowers, native to the Mediterranean region. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae.Main Constituents are CarnosicAcid, Carnosol

Rosmarinic Acid, Rosmarol.Increase the Antioxidative Stability and Antimicrobial actions.It act as a growth promoter. Increases the Flavour and Palatability of Food.

Cinnamomum Cassia:

The dried bark is used as a spice.It act as a digestive stimulant.Increases Growth Promotion. Cassia helps the Antibiotic and Antimicrobial activity of poultry due to the presence of Eugenol, Linalool, beta –Caryophyllene and methyl Chavicol.

Tagetes Erecta:

The flower petals have been used in lettuce salads and other foods to add colour and flavour. The dried flower petals, ground to a powder, may be used in poultry feed to ensure a good colouration of egg yolks and broiler skin, especially in the absence of well-pigmented yellow maize in the feed. Main constituents are Lutein and Zeaxanthin. Improve the carotenoid profile of chicken. It act as Anthelmintic and supports a healthy chicken.

Plant essential oils (EOs) and their compounds have proven in vitro efficacy as antimicrobial, antioxidant, immuno-modulating and anti-inflammatory agents. These substances deserve an important place as feed additives that are generally considered as safe. The available in vivo data show that EOs could find use as natural growth promoters in animal diets. However, the available evidence on the possible positive effects of these substances on nutrient digestibility and the function of the gut is rather limited. Also, the benefits of EOs’ applications in animal’s diets depend on diverse parameters. These parameters can be, on the one hand, the unstable composition and the different levels of addition in the diet, and on the other hand, variable animal genetic factors. A better understanding of the gastrointestinal tract microflora composition and activity is needed in order to maximize the use of EOs and to manufacture effective products. Essential oils could find application in cases where approved drugs or chemical substances are unwanted, for example, biological farming1.

This article summarizes the experimental knowledge on efficacy, possible modes of action, and aspects of application of phytogenic products as feed additives for swine and poultry. Phytogenic feed additives comprise a wide variety of herbs, spices, and products derived thereof, and are mainly essential oils. The assumption that phytogenic compounds might improve the palatability of feed has not yet been confirmed by choice-feeding studies. Although numerous studies have demonstrated anti oxidative and antimicrobial efficacy in vitro, respective experimental in vivo evidence is still quite limited. The same applies to the supposition that phytogenic compounds may specifically enhance activities of digestive enzymes and nutrient absorption.

Nevertheless, a limited number of experimental comparisons of phytogenic feed additives with antibiotics and organic acids have suggested similar effects on the gut, such as reduced bacterial colony counts, fewer fermentation products (including ammonia and biogenic amines), less activity of the gut-associated lymphatic system, and a greater prececal nutrient digestion, probably reflecting an overall improved gut equilibrium. In addition, some phytogenic compounds seem to promote intestinal mucus production. Such effects may explain a considerable number of practical Studies with swine and poultry reporting improved production performance after providing phytogenic feed additives. In total, available evidence indicates that phytogenic feed additives may add to the set of non antibiotic growth promoters for use in livestock, such as organic acids and probiotics. However, a systematic approach toward the efficacy and safety of phytogenic compounds used as feed additives for swine and poultry is still missing3

Summary:

The new millenium has ushered in a re-evaluation of the way we feed and manage livestock. The end of the 20th century saw great advances in several areas in the animal production industry (i.e. genetics and environmental impact), but had serious consequences on consumer confidence after the BSE crisis in England, the dioxin scare in Belgium, and most recently, the Listeria outbreak in France. Food safety, as it relates to the maintenance of both animal and human health and welfare, now depends to a large extent upon the inclusion of feed components deemed "consumer-safe". In Europe, the growing unwillingness to rely upon standard solutions involving antibiotic or antimicrobial agents has given rise to several alternative strategies, such as that based on natural plant extracts and their intrinsic active principles. Owing to today's technological advances, new state-of-the-art scientific methods are being used to re-examine these age-old substances, especially as it relates to their potential benefits and limits as valid alternatives for the future. Like their antibiotic predecessors, in the final analysis modern strategies will most likely not be based on one single answer, but on a combined solution of different types of products with well-described actions whose synergism yields benefits without threat of toxicity, end-product residues and microbial resistance6.

References:

Essential Oils and their Applications in Animal Nutrition

Ilias Giannenas1*, Eleftherios Bonos2, Efterpi Christaki1 and Panagiota Florou-Paneri1

1. Use of Herbs and spices and their Extracts in Animal Nutrition

Tamara FRANKIČ 1, Mojca VOLJČ 2, Janez SALOBIR 3, Vida REZAR 4 Delo.

1. Use of Phytogenic Products as Feed Additives for Poultry Ajaz A. Ganie and I.A.Mir Dairy Cattle Nutrition Division,
   National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal (Haryana) -132001, India.

4.. Use of phytogenic products as feed additives for swine and poultry1

1. Windisch2, K. Schedle, C. Plitzner and A. Kroismayr.
2. Traditional herbal preparations for indigenous poultry health management in Western Kenya

L O Okitoi, H O Ondwasy, D N Siamba* and D Nkurumah**.

1. Natural plant extracts: Classical remedies bring modern animal production solutions
2. Kamel

PANCOSMA, S.A., Voie-des-Traz 6, 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex, Geneva, Switzerland.

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