The effects of adding essential oils (Thymus vulgaris L. and Mentha pulegium L.) and microbial phytase on intestinal microflora and immune level (humoral immunity (HI) and blood cells) in broilers

Although medicinal plants have been used in different ways in feeding poultry, including broiler chickens, the simultaneous use of essential oils and enzymes, especially microbial phytase enzyme, has been used less. Thyme and Mentha are plants that affect the immune system. The positive effects of phytase have been documented in poultry. The purpose of this research is to investigate the mutual effects of essential oils and phytase enzyme on intestinal microflora and immunity level of broiler chickens.

This experiment examines intestinal microflora and immune level (humoral immunity (HI test) and blood cells) using three levels of thyme essential oil, Mentha essential oil and microbial phytase with 8 treatments and 4 repetitions and a total of 32 test units for 42 days. It was done on broilers. Culture methods (MRS-Agar and EMB) and ELISA method and commercial biochemistry kits were used to check intestinal microflora and immune level, respectively.

Examining the main effects showed that the treatments that consumed thyme essential oil had lower coliform population and total aerobic bacteria (TAB) compared to other treatments (p<0.05). The level of humoral immunity showed a significant difference among different experimental groups (p<0.05). The treatments that did not receive essential oils of thyme and Mentha had the lowest ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes (p<0.05).

The results showed that the use of microbial phytase enzyme and thyme essential oil reduces the population of intestinal coliform bacteria and the use of thyme essential oil improves humoral immunity.