Anticoccidial activities of essential oil of Amomum subulatum in broiler chicks

Abstract

Essential oils are potent medicinal substances that can control multiple diseases through their bioactivities. In the current research, the anticoccidial potential of the Amomum subulatum essential oil was estimated in broiler chicks. A day-old, 270 broiler chicks were divided equally into 6 groups, each having 3 replicates. All the groups, except the infected non-medicated control group, were given sporulated oocysts of mixed Eimeria spp. The first three groups received essential oil of A. subulatum @ 1%, 2%, and 3% (v/w) in the feed, and their activities were evaluated in comparison to the Symocox® (Toltrazuril) treated groups and infected non-medicated groups. Feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed intake, weight gain, rates of mortality, organ weight ratios, fecal scores, lesion scores, and oocyst per gram of feces were taken as the parameters of the study. Blood parameters e.g. red blood cell, white blood cells, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and serum metabolites like alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transferase, alkaline phosphatases, lactate dehydrogenase, urea, proteins, and albumins were also evaluated. A. subulatum essential oil @ 3% concentration had the best FCR, survival rates, and feed intakes. A. subulatum essential oils also significantly reduced lesions lowered oocyst counts and improved fecal scores. Hematological and serum profiles were improved by the essential oil of A. subulatum in the feed and the best results were achieved by the 3% concentration of the oil. This research concluded that the A. subulatum essential oil @ 3% concentration can be used for the treatment of avian coccidiosis however formulation of the dose requires further studies on broiler chicks.