Dalla valutazione in vitro a quella in campo dell’efficacia di diverse miscele di oli essenziali nei confronti dei coccidi dei polli

The shift toward sustainable and residue-free poultry production demands alternatives to conventional antibiotic prophylaxis. Essential oils (EOs) are emerging as promising candidates owing to their bioactive properties, offering antimicrobial, anticoccidial, and immunomodulatory effects. The research study integrated in vitro oocysticidal assays, in vitro cytotoxicity evaluations, and in vivo dietary supplementation trials to assess the efficacy of EO constituents in controlling Eimeria spp. infections. Thymol, carvacrol, and cinnamaldehyde exhibited significant in vitro oocysticidal activity, either individually or in combination, highlighting their potential as targeted anticoccidial agents. Among these, thymol demonstrated a favourable safety profile and sustained bioactivity, with cytotoxicity assays defining an optimal range for achieving beneficial, non-toxic effects on gut health. The in vivo trial outcomes demonstrated the importance of considering infection pressure and environmental conditions when evaluating EO-based interventions. Dietary supplementation with thymol and Energy Poultry did not significantly reduce oocyst shedding. Despite the presence of highly pathogenic Eimeria species (E. tenella, E. necatrix, and E. praecox), no clinical signs of severe coccidiosis, such as morbidity or mortality, were observed. This may be explained by the low baseline parasitic load, which limited the capacity to detect pronounced reductions in oocyst shedding. The absence of standardised experimental protocols and immortalised avian intestinal cell models underscores the need for methodological advancements to improve reproducibility and comparability. Future research should focus on optimising EO formulations, addressing compositional variability, and exploring synergistic combinations with other natural or synthetic compounds. RNA sequencing remains underexplored but is crucial for clarifying EO-driven gene expression and regulatory pathways related to gut integrity and immune modulation, enabling targeted therapeutic strategies. Although challenges persist regarding long-term safety data and regulatory approval, EOs hold significant potential as practical and sustainable feed additives for coccidiosis prevention in poultry farming.