ASSESSMENT OF PROXIMATE, PHYTOCHEMICALS, AND ESSENTIAL OIL COMPOSITION OF ORIGANUM VULGARE AND ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS LEAF MEALS AS PHYTOGENIC FEED ADDITIVES

Abstract

The potential of Origanum vulgare and Rosmarinus officinalis as phytogenic feed additives in poultry diet was assessed. Samples of Origanum vulgare and Rosmarinus officinalis were processed and chemically analysed to determine proximate, phytochemical and quantitative essential oil (EO) composition using steam distillation procedure. Origanum vulgare contains 16.06% crude protein (CP), 7.31% crude fibre (CF), 1.92% ether extract (EE), 69.83% nitrogen-free extract (NFE), and 4.88% ash. Rosmarinus officinalis contains 16.81% crude protein, 7.38% crude fibre, 1.8% ether extract, 69.12% nitrogen-free extract, and 4.80% ash. The phytochemical profile revealed that Origanum vulgare contained 1.18, 0.67, 2.08, 1.23, and 2.47 mg/kg tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and Triterpenes, respectively while Rosmarinus officinalis contains 1.52, 0.67, 2.09, 1.51, and 2.31 mg/kg of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and Triterpenes contents, respectively. Quantitative essential oil determination revealed 7.69% and 8.14% essential oil content for Origanum vulgare and Rosmarinus officinalis, respectively. In summary, the findings indicate that Origanum vulgare and Rosmarinus officinalis possess nutrient levels that could contribute valuable elements to diets, complementing their recognized health and medicinal attributes. The incorporation of these botanicals into livestock's diets may promote a balanced microbiota, potentially leading to enhanced overall performance.