Use of encapsulated essential oils for controlling enteric bacterial pathogens in chickens

Principal Investigator

Joshua Gong, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Year the work was done

2010-2013

Overall objective

  • To optimize protocols to encapsulate essential oils and test their antimicrobial activity in target regions of the chicken gut.

Outcomes

  • The levels of specific essential oils required for optimal antimicrobial activity in the gut have been established.
  • The encapsulation protocol delivers active essential oil to the lower gut, but the protocol needs to be improved in order for the oil to withstand pelleting conditions during feed processing.

Application

  • Essential oils delivered to appropriate regions of the gut under field conditions may serve as a practical alternative to antimicrobials currently used in the poultry industry.

This research applies to

Breeders, Broilers, Layers, Processors

This research was supported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Canadian Poultry Research Council.