Addition of blends of phytoextracts to replace pharmacological use of zinc oxide on growth, health and intestinal microbial ecology of weaning pigs

Feeding strategies aimed at replacing the use of zinc oxide (ZnO) at pharmacological doses is a priority for pig farming. Phytoextracts could represent a potential strategy. The results demonstrated that the blend composed by cinnamaldehyde (natural identical), cassia oil (titrated in cinnamaldehyde), aiowan essential oil (titrated in thymol) and essential oil of clove (titrated in eugenol) gave the same performance as ZnO, reduced the concentration of potential intestinal pathogens typical of the post-weaning period such as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and reduced the intestinal inflammation in post-weaning piglets. These effects may indicate a possible improvement in resilience and the promotion of gut health.