ABSTRACT The current study investigated the efficacy and optimal feeding level of Rumex nervosus leaves (RNL) in broilers infected and uninfected with Eimeria tenella. In a factorial design of 2 (coccidial challenge or not) 5 (feed treatments), 250-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one of ten groups and reared for 28 days. Intestinal measurements, carcass traits, serum biochemical indices, leukograms, performance and anticoccidial indicators were investigated. All selected parameters were not significantly (p>0.05) altered by the interactions between the experimental diet and challenge at 7 days post-infection, with the exception of serum levels of albumin and globulin, as well as the anticoccidial index. Infected broilers had a lower performance indicator, poorer production efficiency, poor anticoccidial indices, heavier gizzard, longer and heavier small intestine, shorter cecum, and higher proportion of eosinophils compared with uninfected broilers. The RNL had marked anticoccidial efficacy at a dose of 5 g. The current study found that Rumex nervosus leaf powder had mild to marked, dose-dependent anticoccidial preventive efficacy in broilers. However, further studies are needed to fully understand the anticoccidial mechanisms.

ABSTRACT To combat pathogens and reduce the major public health problem of antibiotic residues in animal products, scientists are looking for natural antibiotic substitutes that are effective against drug-resistant pathogenic microbes and spoilage fungi. The antimicrobial activity of three Cinnamomum verum extracts prepared with three different solvents (absolute ethanol, 50% ethanol, and aqueous extracts) was determined against two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli) as well as two fungal strains. The antimicrobial activities of various Cinnamomum verum extracts against selected microbes were evaluated using the disc diffusion test, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC), minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC), and the poisoned food technique. Cinnamomum verum bark (CVB) extracts inhibited and killed microbial growth to varying degrees. Our findings also revealed that extracts prepared with alcoholic solvents, particularly absolute ethanol-CVB extract, were more active compared with aqueous solvents, suggesting that the cinnamon plant is a promising natural antimicrobial agent for food preservation.

ABSTRACT This study investigated the in-vitro antibacterial and fungicidal activities of three crude extracts of Illicium verum (absolute methanol, 50% methanol and aqueous extracts) against two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes), two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella Arizona), and two fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger). The antibacterial action was measured using an agar disk diffusion test, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were determined. The fungicidal activity of the star anise extracts was assessed by the agar disk diffusion test, and poisoned food techniques, and the MICs and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) were determined. The Chinese star anise extracts showed antibacterial and antifungal activities against A. fumigatus. The results of this study suggest that alcoholic extracts are more active than aqueous extracts and that star anise could be used as a natural antimicrobial agent.