pennyroyal essential oil effects on escherichia coli and lactobacillus microflora in laying hens

Pennyroyal essential oil possess various useful functions such as antimicrobial, antioxidant and also aromatic and medicinal properties. due to antimicrobial properties, it can cause increase in products shelf life. researches demonstrate that pennyroyal essential oils have a strong antibacterial property against microorganisms. the objective of this study was to examine the impact of pennyroyal essential oil on the gastrointestinal microflora of laying hens, specifically focusing on escherichia coli as pathogen and beneficial lactobacillus. a total number of 80 laying hens were utilized in a fully randomized experimental design. experimental treatments included: 1) basic diet (control), 2) basic ration containing 0.0125 ml of emulsifier 3) basic ration containing 50 mg/kg of pennyroyal essential oil, 4) basic ration containing 100 mg/kg of pennyroyal essential oil and 5) basic ration containing 150 mg/kg of pennyroyal essential oil. the study lasted for a period of 6 weeks, following a 2-week adaptation period. upon completion of the research, faecal samples from each cage were collected and combined per treatment group for microbiological analysis. the relevant data were first registered in excel software and after classification they were subjected to statistical analysis using spss software. comparisons of averages were done with duncan s method. results indicated that lowest coliform and e. coli count with significantly difference was at 50 mg/kg of pennyroyal essential oil. lactobacillus population showed an increase in 100 and 150 mg/kg treatments that only 150 mg/kg of pennyroyal essential oil had significantly high count compared to the others.