Efficacy of a pharmaceutically alginate-coated phytoremedy (black garlic and turmeric) for the control of natural coccidia infestation in turkeys

In searching for herbal alternatives for treating coccidiosis in turkeys, this trial aimed to evaluate whether minced black garlic (Allium sativa) or turmeric powder (Curcuma longa) or their combination, included in dried alginate beads, controlling clinical coccidiosis in turkey male poults. A total of 150 twelve-day-old male turkeys were randomly distributed into 15 pens of 10 turkeys per pen. Groups were: CTR = control untreated turkeys; GAR = turkeys fed 4 % of their diet with minced garlic included in dried alginate beads; CUR = treated fed 4 % powder curcuma, also prepared as dried alginate beads; GA = containing only alginate), and GC= turkeys fed 8 % of their diet with the mixture of minced black garlic plus powder curcuma (4 %), entrapped in dried alginate beads. Treatments were incorporated as feed-dressing, considering their mean feed intake. Results reveal that turkeys in group GC showed a significant decrease in oocysts per gram of feces during the first six weeks of age compared to values found in the CTR group and the other treatments. These results identify that in turkey poults, there is a statistically significant anticoccidial activity of the combination of minced garlic plus powder curcuma, included in alginate beads and administered as 4 % of their feed intake. Additionally, better productive variables were recorded for this combination compared to the other three groups (P < 0.05). The use of vehicles for the digestive tract of turkeys may improve the effectiveness of plant extracts for the control of coccidiosis.