Integrative Feeding Strategies with Essential Oils and Probiotics to Improve Raw Meat Quality and Carcass Traits in Broiler Chickens

Lavinia Stef, Nicolae Corcionivoschi (), Calin Julean, Todd Callaway, Eliza Simiz, Adela Marcu, Ducu Sandu Stef, Ioan Pet, Iuliana Popescu, Gratiela Gradisteanu Pircalabioru, Florin Dan Simiz and Igori Balta
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Lavinia Stef: Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, University of Life Sciences King Mihai I from Timisoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Nicolae Corcionivoschi: Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov Street, No. 3, 050044 Bucharest, Romania
Calin Julean: Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, University of Life Sciences King Mihai I from Timisoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Todd Callaway: Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
Eliza Simiz: Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, University of Life Sciences King Mihai I from Timisoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Adela Marcu: Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, University of Life Sciences King Mihai I from Timisoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Ducu Sandu Stef: Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Life Sciences King Mihai I from Timisoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Ioan Pet: Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, University of Life Sciences King Mihai I from Timisoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Iuliana Popescu: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Sciences King Mihai I from Timisoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Gratiela Gradisteanu Pircalabioru: Academy of Romanian Scientists, Ilfov Street, No. 3, 050044 Bucharest, Romania
Florin Dan Simiz: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences King Mihai I from Timisoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Igori Balta: Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, University of Life Sciences King Mihai I from Timisoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 22, 1-23

Abstract: Essential oils (EOs) have gained recognition as promising alternatives to antibiotics due to their positive effects on bird growth performance, enhanced meat quality, and improved overall health, without producing the negative consequences associated with antibiotics. This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation of tea tree (TTEO) and thyme (TEO) EOs, individually or in combination with the probiotic BioPlus 2b ( Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis ), on poultry broiler performance, including the meat quality. A total of 240 ROSS 308 broilers were assigned to eight dietary treatments over a 35-day trial. Parameters such as body weight (BW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass portion, drip loss, and meat pH were evaluated. TTEO had a significant ( p ≤ 0.05) impact on final carcass and breast portion, while in combination with probiotics, specifically TTEO with BioPlus significantly ( p ≤ 0.05) reduced meat drip loss. GC-MS analysis identified terpinen-4-ol and γ-terpinene as the major constituents of TTEO, and thymol and carvacrol as the major constituents of TEO. In conclusion, combinations of TTEO, TEO, and probiotics can have beneficial effects on chicken raw meat quality, providing a complementary benefit to the industry and representing a viable alternative to conventional agents.

Keywords: tea tree ( Melaleuca alternifolia ); thyme ( Thymus vulgaris ); meat characteristics; ROSS 308; Bacillus subtilis; Bacillus licheniformis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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