Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Science, Ma. C., Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
2
M. Sc. Graduated, Department of Agriculture Science, Ma. C., Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
3
Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Science, Ma. C., Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
10.22092/mpt.2025.370768.1200
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of basil (Ocimum basilicum) essential oil on growth performance, hematological parameters, antioxidant capacity, and meat quality in broiler chickens. A total of 300 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to five experimental treatments, including a control diet, three levels of basil essential oil (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg), and an antibiotic treatment with virginiamycin (150 mg/kg). Each treatment consisted of four replicates with 15 birds per replicate. The results indicated that supplementation with basil essential oil, particularly at 600 mg/kg, significantly improved feed conversion ratio and body weight gain (P < 0.05). In several parameters, its effects were comparable to those of the virginiamycin treatment. Dietary basil essential oil also decreased serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations, while increasing the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). No significant effects were observed on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or triglyceride levels. Moreover, basil essential oil reduced fat content and increased protein concentration in breast muscle without significantly affecting meat textural properties. Overall, these findings suggest that basil essential oil can serve as a natural and effective alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler diets.
Keywords
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