The application impact of an origanum , anise and citrus oils blend in horses nutrition

© Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, 2015 http://www.fapz.uniag.sk/ DOI: 10.15414/afz.2015.18.04.103–105 1. Phytogenic additives in horses nutrition In the last 20 years, there is in the World an increase of horse ́s nutrition and feeding interest. In modern horses nutrition are very actual feed additives and detection of additives on metabolism and nutrients utilization. Feed additives are use in modern animal nutrition. They are products which are fed separately or as a component in feed mixture for animal performance improving (Gálik, 2012). Feed additives are used in animal nutrition for their positive effect on health status and quality of animal production (Suchý et al., 2002; Straková et al., 2007). Capcarová and Kolesárová (2010) reported that feed additives are products with positive effects on animal performance. A relatively new group of feed additives in the World are phytogenics (Steiner, 2006; Windisch et al., 2008). There are some papers and reports with possible using of phytogenics in horses nutrition, and the effect of phytogenics on horses performance. In recent years, many studies analyse the effect of different feed additives type on horse’s performance, mainly on the base of nutrients digestibility (Morgan et al., 2007; Gálik et al., 2012b). The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of a blend of origanum, anise and citrus fruits essential oils on biochemical indicators and nutrients digestibility in sport horses nutrition. Table 1 Herbs and spices frequently used in phytogenic feed additives


Phytogenic additives in horses nutrition
In the last 20 years, there is in the World an increase of horse´s nutrition and feeding interest.In modern horses nutrition are very actual feed additives and detection of additives on metabolism and nutrients utilization.Feed additives are use in modern animal nutrition.They are products which are fed separately or as a component in feed mixture for animal performance improving (Gálik, 2012).Feed additives are used in animal nutrition for their positive effect on health status and quality of animal production (Suchý et al., 2002;Straková et al., 2007).Capcarová and Kolesárová (2010) reported that feed additives are products with positive effects on animal performance.A relatively new group of feed additives in the World are phytogenics (Steiner, 2006;Windisch et al., 2008).There are some papers and reports with possible using of phytogenics in horses nutrition, and the effect of phytogenics on horses performance.In recent years, many studies analyse the effect of different feed additives type on horse's performance, mainly on the base of nutrients digestibility (Morgan et al., 2007;Gálik et al., 2012b).The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of a blend of origanum, anise and citrus fruits essential oils on biochemical indicators and nutrients digestibility in sport horses nutrition.
Authors used 14 warmblood sport horses (medium exercise) divided into two groups.In experimental group, a blend of essential oils from origanum, anise and citrus fruits was used in feed rations (crimped barley, meadow hay and mineral feed mixture) supplementation.The experiment lasted 90 days, blood collections were at the beginning of experiment, after 60 days and at the end of the experiment before feeding.Phytogenic additive had insignificant effect (P >0.05) on blood serum indicators.A tendency of lower serum triglycerides and higher glucose were found.As well as a tendency of higher AST and ALP enzymes activity was found as an effect of feed rations supplementation with phytogenic additive.The effect of phytogenic additives on biochemical blood serum indicators were reported also by Epp et al. (2005).Authors found positive effect (P <0.05) of additive for lower serum concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides.In other experiment Pearson et al. (2005) analyzed a blend of origanum, fennel and anise on blood serum indicators of sport horses during the exercise.Authors found insignificant (P >0.05) effect of additive on serum indicators.These results shows, that main factor of phytoadditives effect in animal nutrition and feeding is their dosage and content of chemical substances with possible antinutritive effect as tannins, polyphenols etc. (Suchý et al., 2002).

The effect of phytoadditives on nutrients
digestibility Aromatic herbs and essential oils are often claimed to improve the flavour and palatability of feed, thus increasing voluntary feed intake resulting in improved body weight and nutrients utilization (Zeng et al., 2015).Some studies show significantly effect of phytoadditives on digestion, and in this way positive effect on nutrients utilization and lower feed costs (Fors, 2009).The effect of a blend of origanum, anise, and citrus fruit oils (dried form in 1 g per 1 kg of concentrated feed) were analyzed by Gálik et al. (2013).The experiment lasted 90 days, and during the last week of the experiment apparent digestibility trial were performed.Significantly (P <0.05) higher dry matter and organic matter digestibility and higher crude protein digestibility (P >0.05) in experimental horses were found.Probably, these results were affecting by origanum, which might help in digestion by increasing bile flow (Steiner, 2009).This mixture can improve macroelements utilization in horse's nutrition also (Gálik et al., 2011).Authors analysed the commercial phytogenic additive on macroelements faecal digestibility in sport horses.They found significantly (P <0.05) higher Mg and K digestibility coefficients after additive supplementation, and a tendency (P >0.05) of higher Ca, P and Na faecal digestibility.These results are in confirmation with results

Table 2
The effect of a blend of origanum, anise and citrus oils on blood serum indicators (mean ± S.D.)  of Turner et al. (2006) who detected, that phytoadditives such as anise or bee pollen can significantly increase feed intake and subsequently increased the nutrients retention.A blend of origanum, anise and citrus fruits essential oils were analyzed in saccharides digestibility point of view also.Gálik et al. (2012a) reported, that feed ration supplementation by 1 g per 1g of concentred feed can positively affect nitrogen free extract, crude fibre, ADF and NDF faecal digestibility (P <0.05).Kamel (2000) reported that one of the main phytoadditive in feed rations of animals is origanum (Oreganum vulgare) with active compounds carvacrol and thymol or anise (Pimpinella anisum).Positive effects of phytogenic additives are determined by application dosage and additive composition; however, origanum might help digestion by increasing bile flow and fighting against some bacteria, viruses, fungi, intestinal worms and other parasites (Steiner, 2009).

Conclusions
The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of a blend of origanum, anise and citrus fruits essential oils on biochemical indicators and nutrients digestibility in sport horses nutrition.The mixture of origanum, anise and citrus oils can significantly affect some biochemical indicators as cholesterol and triglycerides.However, this additive has significant effect on dry matter and organic matter digestibility (P <0.05) as well as in Mg and K apparent digestibility (P <0.05).Results with phytogenic additive with active origanum, anise and citrus fruits show, that this additive is useful in sport horses nutrition.

Table 3
The effect of a blend of origanum, anise and citrus oils on organic nutrients digestibility (mean± S.D.) -dry matter, OM -organic matter, CP -crude protein, NFE -nitrogen free extract, CF -crude fibre, ADF -acid detergent fibre, NDF -neutral detergent fibre, S.D. -standard deviation Values with identical superscript in the column are significant different et the level P <0,05 DM