Abstract

BRANCO, P.A.C. et al. Efects of essential oils as growth promoters on performance of weaned pigs. Arch. zootec. [online]. 2011, vol.60, n.231, pp.699-706. ISSN 1885-4494.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0004-05922011000300057.

Two trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of antibiotic and essential oils on diets digestibility and performance in weaned pigs. Sixty weaned pigs (in performance trial) and twelve piglets (in digestibility trial), in a randomized block design, were used to compare five treatments: T1: control - basal diet; T2: basal diet + antibiotic (0,2%); T3, T4 e T5: basal diet + 0,02; 0,04 e 0,06% essential oil (TH), respectively, with four replications and three pigs per experimental unit (performance) and one pig per experimental unit (digestibility). The Tecnaroma Herbal (TH) is a commercial product consisted of mixture of seven types of essential oils (anise, star anise, thyme, oregano, garlic, eucalyptus and ginepro). The highest level of TH (T5) improved the performance of animals. Two highest levels of essentials oils increased dietary digestibility compared to control and antibiotic treatments. The Results of this study suggest that the product TH can be used, with great chances of success, as an additive alternate to antimicrobial agents as growth promoters for piglets.

Keywords : Additives; Antimicrobian; Pro-nutrients.

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