Basil Essential Oil in Poultry Production and Poultry Industry: Applications and Future Perspectives

Basil essential oil (BEO) has emerged as a promising natural alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry production. BEO has shown antimicrobial, antifungal, anticoccidial, antioxidant, and insecticidal properties. BEO exhibits broad antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, and modulates gut microbiota by decreasing Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp. Anticoccidial effects include reduced oocyst shedding, improved intestinal morphology, and downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Antifungal activity reduces fungal load and inhibits Aspergillus spp., with implications for control spoilage and aflatoxin risk. BEO at a concentration of 40 ppm was effective in preventing E. tenella invasion, showing an average reduction in invasion by 36% in primary chicken epithelial cells. Antioxidant benefits include enhanced intestinal and systemic antioxidant status. Advanced nanoformulation technologies, particularly nano-encapsulation, have substantially overcome several limitations for BEO application in poultry. Further research is still required to assess the efficacy of nano-encapsulated BEO for enhancing overall poultry industry productivity. This review synthesizes current evidence on BEO integration in the poultry production sections, from nutrition and disease control to product preservation and farm hygiene, and evaluates technological solutions that address formulation barriers. Moreover, it discusses critical research gaps and proposes future directions for enhancing BEO applications in sustainable poultry production systems.