Associação entre tanino e óleos essenciais na dieta de frangos de corte desafiados com Eimeria maxima

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Black Acacia tannins, alone or combined with essential oils, as a substitute for antimicrobial growth promoters in broilers challenged with Eimeria maxima. A total of 912 Ross 308AP broiler chicks were used, with an initial weight of 46.54 ±0.63 g, distributed in a completely randomized design, in six groups with eight replicates each and 19 birds per unit fed on pelleted feed. The treatments were negative control (NC) without additives, positive control (PC) with avilamycin antibiotic and anticoccidian, diets with isolated Black Acacia condensed tannins (CNT), Black Acacia condensed tannin associated with Citreodora oil (CNA), Black Acacia condensed tannin associated with a blend of essential oils consisting of Timol, Vanillin, Cinnamoldehyde and Eugenol (CNB) and Black Acacia condensed tannin associated with a blend of essential oils consisting of Timol, Vanillin, Cinnamoldehyde and Citreodora (CNC). At 21 and 42 days, birds in the CNA and CNB groups showed similar performance to CP, with significant improvements in average weight gain (p<0.0001). The CNA and CNB treatments reduced the effects of coccidiosis, probably due to the synergistic effect of the phytogenic additives. Intestinal lesions were less frequent in the CNA, CNB and CNC groups, with 50% of birds without intestinal lesions compared to CP, which had 25% of birds without lesions. In terms of intestinal morphometry, the treatments with tannins and essential oils increased villus height, crypt depth, V:C ratio and absorption area (AA) (p<0.0001), improving intestinal integrity. There was an effect on the activity of the digestive enzyme chymotrypsin in birds supplemented with phytogenic additives (p<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the cecal microbiota and the increase in short-chain fatty acids in birds supplemented with phytogenic additives (p<0.05). For meat quality, there was an effect of supplementation with Black Acacia condensed tannin associated with essential oils (P<0.05). Therefore, Acacia Negra tannins combined with essential oils improved the performance, intestinal health and immune response of chickens, proving to be promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics and anticoccidials.