title: Dietary Supplementation of Benzoic Acid and Essential Oil Compounds Affects Buffering Capacity of the Feeds, Performance of Turkey Poults and Their Antioxidant Status, pH in the Digestive Tract, Intestinal Microbiota and Morphology.
abstract: Three trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation of a basal diet with benzoic acid or thymol or a mixture of essential oil blends (MEO) or a combination of benzoic acid with MEO (BMEO) on growth performance of turkey poults. Control groups were fed a basal diet. In trial 1, benzoic acid was supplied at levels of 300 and 1,000 mg/kg. In trial 2, thymol or the MEO were supplied at levels of 30 mg/kg. In trial 3, the combination of benzoic acid with MEO was evaluated. Benzoic acid, MEO and BMEO improved performance, increased lactic acid bacteria populations and decreased coliform bacteria in the caeca. Thymol, MEO and BMEO improved antioxidant status of turkeys. Benzoic acid and BMEO reduced the buffering capacity compared to control feed and the pH values of the caecal content. Benzoic acid and EOs may be suggested as an effective alternative to AGP in turkeys.
authors: Laboratory of Nutrition, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki PC 54124, Thessaloniki Greece PO Box 390.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Giannenas
authors: Laboratory of Nutrition, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki PC 54124, Thessaloniki Greece PO Box 390.
authors: C P
authors: CP
authors: Papaneophytou
authors: Laboratory of Nutrition, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki PC 54124, Thessaloniki Greece PO Box 390.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Tsalie
authors: Laboratory of Nutrition, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki PC 54124, Thessaloniki Greece PO Box 390.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Pappas
authors: Laboratory of Nutrition, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki PC 54124, Thessaloniki Greece PO Box 390.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Triantafillou
authors: Laboratory of Nutrition, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki PC 54124, Thessaloniki Greece PO Box 390.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Tontis
authors: Laboratory of Nutrition, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki PC 54124, Thessaloniki Greece PO Box 390.
authors: G A
authors: GA
authors: Kontopidis
keywords: Benzoic Acid; Essential Oils; Feed Additives; Performance; Turkeys