IDENTIFICAÇÃO DA MICROBIOTA INTESTINAL DE CORDONAS JAPONESES ALIMENTADAS COM DIETAS CONTENDO CANELA (Cinnamomum verum) EM PÓ E ORÉGANO (Origanum vulgare) DESIDRADATO

Abstract

Medicinal plants have antimicrobial actions against pathogens, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antioxidant properties that help in the intestinal health of poultry. Oregano (Origanum vulgare) contains thymol and carvracol, active principles that can improve humoral immunity and enhance the protection of the intestinal mucosa. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) has cinnamaldehyde as the main chemical compound, which shows inhibitory effects against intestinal pathogens. The objective was to evaluate the effects of using cinnamon powder and dried oregano in diets on the intestinal microbiome of Japanese quails. A total of 210 female quails of the species Coturnix coturnix japonica were used in a completely randomized design, consisting of six treatments, five replications, with seven birds per replication. The diets were divided into: basal diet (no additive); diet+0.25g zinc bacitracin/t of feed; ration+0.5% cinnamon powder; ration+1% cinnamon powder; ration + 0.5% dehydrated oregano and 1% dehydrated oregano. The experimental period lasted 84 days (three cycles of 28 days each). The three compounds with the highest percentage in cinnamon powder evaluated were: cinnamaldehyde, α-copaene and benzaldehyde; in dehydrated oregano were: 4-Thujanol, β-cymene and γ-terpinene. In the microbiota analysis, six phyla were identified: Firmicutes (higher abundance), Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Tenericutes and Fusobacteria. Among the microorganisms identified, the Lactobacillus salivarius species was the most identified, mainly with the presence of dehydrated oregano (0.5%), promoting health and maintaining the integrity of the intestinal epithelium, in addition to aiding in the digestion and immune system of birds. Cinnamon powder at the level of 0.5% inhibited pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Campylobacter jejuni. The characterization of the intestinal microbiota of healthy Japanese quail fed diets containing phytogenic additives may help to understand the microbiota changes related to the physiological and pathological states of the lower digestive tract.