Modulation of performance, meat quality and gut health of broiler chicken in response to dietary nanoencapsulated lavender essential oil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of nanoencapsulated lavender essential oil (LEO) as feed additive in broiler chicken. 420 male broiler chicks at one week of age were randomly distributed into 7 dietary treatments: CN (Control)-fed basal diet only; AB (Antibiotic)-basal diet + 10 mg/kg Enramycin; CS (Chitosan)-basal diet + 300 mg/kg chitosan nanoparticles; LEO_F200 (basal diet + 200 mg/kg free LEO); LEO_F400 (basal diet + 400 mg/kg free LEO); LEO_N200 (basal diet + 200 mg/kg nanoencapsulated LEO) and LEO_N400 (basal diet + 400 mg/kg nanoencapsulated LEO). Each group contained 4 replicates and each replicate had 15 birds fed with a corn-soybean based diet for 42 days of age. During the overall period (7-42 d), LEO_N200 and LEO_N400 exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher body weight gain and lowest feed conversion ratio than all other groups. Lowest (p < 0.05) feed intake was recorded in LEO_F400 during all the periods (starter, finisher and overall). LEO_N400 had higher (p < 0.05) dressing and cut-up part weights (p < 0.05) compared to other groups. Improved breast meat quality was recorded in LEO_N400. Cecal coliforms decreased and lacotobacilli increased notably in LEO_N200 and LEO_N400 (p < 0.05). Duodenal and jejunal villus height increased (p < 0.05) in LEO_N200 and LEO_N400 groups. In conclusion, nanoencapsulated LEO at 200 and 400 mg/kg appears to be a potential antibiotic alternative for improving broiler chicken performance and gut health.