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Differentiation of Growth, Inner Organ Development, Gut Microbiota, Gut Histology and Meat Quality of Japanese Quails Fed Diets Containing Varying Amounts of Satureja spicigera (K. Koch) Boiss Leaf Powder

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 4, 945 - 953, 15.07.2025
https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1663534

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of varying amounts of Satureja spicigera leaf powder (SLP) (the creeping savory) on the growth, inner organ development, gut microbiota, meat quality, and gut histology of quails. The trial included five treatment groups: SLP0 (control, 0%), SLP1 (0.25%), SLP2 (0.5%), SLP3 (0.75%) and SLP4 (1%). The quails were housed in floor pens with 20 chicks per replicate, and there were 4 replicates for each group, leading to a total of 400 quails. At the end of the study, 1 male and 1 female quails from each replicate (a total of 40 quails) were slaughtered, and samples were collected for analysis. Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and visceral organ weights did not change between the groups (P>0.05). Meat quality characteristics (such as sensory criteria) and gut microbiota did not differ between treatment groups. However, a significant reduction in the MDA (Malondialdehyde) level in the breast meat was observed in the SLP1 and SLP2 groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). The breast meat color of the SLP1 and SLP4 groups was significantly lighter than the control group (P<0.05). Villi length (VL) and crypt depth (CD) were greater in the SLP1 group compared to SLP0 and SLP4 groups in the duodenum (P<0.05). The SLP3 group had the highest VL (P<0.01), and the SLP4 group had the lowest CD (P<0.01). Villi length and crypt depth (VL/CD) ratio in SLP3 and SLP4 groups was higher than in SLP0 and SLP1 groups in the jejunum (P<0.05). While no differences in villi length were noted, crypt depth was higher in the SLP3 and SLP4 groups compared to the other groups (P<0.01). The lamina muscularis mucosa (LMM) thickness was lower in the SLP0 group, and VL/CD was lower in the SLP3 group in the ileum (P<0.01). The supplementation of SLP in the diet of Japanese quails enhanced gut health by elevating VL in the duodenum and jejunum, which could enhance digestion. The antioxidant effect of SLP was also evident in the reduction of MDA levels in breast meat. To conclude, Satureja spicigera leaf powder can be considered a useful feed additive in quail breeding, particularly for improving intestinal health and for suppressing MDA formation in quail meats.

Ethical Statement

The authors confirm that the ethical policies of the journal, as noted on the journal's author guidelines page, have been adhered to. The experimental procedures were approved by the Local Animal Care and Ethics Committee of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, 684429034-03 (approval date: 28 February, 2024, Protocol code: 68429034/03).

Thanks

The authors would like to thank Prof. Dr. Hasan Ersin ŞAMLI and Prof. Dr. Ahmet ŞAHİN for their support in this doctoral thesis.

References

  • Anar B. 2022. Etlik piliç rasyonlarına kekik ve biberiye uçucu yağ katkılarının performans ve et kalitesi üzerine etkileri. Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Bursa, Türkiye, pp: 35.
  • Andrić DO, Hristov S, Stanković B, Petrović VC, Pajić M, Nikšić D, Samolovac L, Marinković M. 2023. Medicinal and aromatic plants in livestock farming: A promising approach for boosting health and performance. In: 14th International Symposium Modern Trends in Livestock Production, Belgrade, 27-28 October 2023, Belgrade, Serbia, pp: 460-475.
  • Arak H, Karimi Torshizi MA, Rahimi S. 2013. Study on the effect of Savory Satureja khuzestanica (essential oil and Polysorb toxin-binder against experimental aflatoxicosis in Japanese quail. Vet Clin Pathol Q Sci J, 7(3): pp: 249-259.
  • Arak H, Karimi Torshizi MA, Rahimi S. 2017. Effect of savory (Satureja khuzestanica) essential oil and commercial toxin binder on fertility, hatchability, and progeny performance in breeder quails fed aflatoxin contaminated diets. Anim Sci J, 30(114): pp: 285-294.
  • Arjun SS, Kumari K, Nath DN, Kavita P. 2022. Assessment of lipid profile and carcass traits in quail, fed on diet with incorporation of peppermint leaf powder at various levels. Indian J Anim Nutr, 39(4): pp: 468-479.
  • Azarbad E, Yaghobfar A, Kermanshahi H, Meimandi Pour A. 2019. Effect of different levels of Satureja khuzistanica essential oils in usual and microcapsulated forms in diets on performance, carcass characteristics and meat oxidative stability in broiler chickens. Anim Sci J, 32(123): pp: 217-232.
  • Bozdemir Ç. 2019. Türkiye’de yetişen kekik türleri, ekonomik önemi ve kullanım alanları. YYU J Agric Sci, 29(3): pp: 583-594.
  • Cedillo-Cortezano M, Martinez-Cuevas LR, López JAM, Barrera López I, Escutia-Perez S, Petricevich VL. 2024. Use of medicinal plants in the process of wound healing: a literature review. Pharmaceuticals, 17(3): pp: 303.
  • Dehghani N, Afsharmanesh M, Salarmoini M, Ebrahimnejad H, Bitaraf A. 2018. Effect of pennyroyal, savory and thyme essential oils on Japanese quail physiology. Heliyon, 4(10): pp: 1-7.
  • Kavcı E. 2020. Satureja L. (Lamiaceae) cinsinde yer alan bazı taksonların enzim inhibisyon özellikleri ve karyolojileri üzerine bir çalışma. Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Konya, Türkiye, pp: 22.
  • Masouri L, Salari S, Sari M, Tabatabaei S, Masouri B. 2017. Effect of feed supplementation with Satureja khuzistanica essential oil on performance and physiological parameters of broilers fed on wheat- or maize-based diets. Br Poult Sci, 58(4): pp: 425-434.
  • Mousapour A, Salarmoini M, Afsharmanesh M, Ebrahimnejad H, Meimandipour A. 2020. Efficacy of Savory Essential Oil Utilization in Conventional and Encapsulated Forms on Performance of Broiler Chickens. Braz J Poult Sci, 22(4): pp: 001-012.
  • Movahhedkhah S, Rasouli B, Seidav A, Mazzei D, Laudadio V, Tufarelli V. 2019. Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) extract as natural feed additive in broilers: Effects on growth, plasma constituents, immune response, and ileal microflora. Animals, 9(3): pp: 87.
  • Mozafari S, Seidavi A, Gharahveysi S, Kadim I. 2018. Savory (Satureja hortensis L.) powder and extract effects on broiler chicken ileal Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus bacteria. J Appl Anim Res, 46(1): pp: 639-642.
  • Nasiroleslami M, Torki M, Van Krimpen M. 2016. Effect of dietary inclusion of two sources of selenium and Satureja hortensis essential oil on productive performance of laying hen. 41st Animal Nutrition Research Forum, Tehran, Iran, pp: 63.
  • Paşa C, Kılıç T, Selvi S, Sağır ZÖ. 2019. Satureja cuneifolia Ten. (Lamiaceae) türünün farklı kurutma yöntemleri uygulanarak uçucu yağ oranlarının ve uçucu yağ bileşenlerinin tespit edilmesi. J Inst Sci Technol, 9(4): pp: 2330-2335.
  • Pashtetsky V, Ostapchuk P, Postnikov O, Zubochenko D, Kuevda T. 2020. Effect of Satureja montana essential oil on the bactericidal activity of broiler chickens blood serum. E3S Web Conf, 224: pp: 04023.
  • Rahimi D, Yarahmadi HM, Yaghobfar A, Fakhraei J. 2021. Effects of garlic powder and Satureja khuzestanica essential oil on male Ross 308 chickens performance, blood lipid profile, immune responses, intestinal microflora, and morphology. Jundishapur J Nat Pharm Prod, 16(1): pp: 1-10.
  • Seyedtaghiya MH, Fasaei BN, Peighambari SM. 2021. Antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of Satureja hortensis essential oil against Escherichia coli and Salmonella isolated from poultry. Iran J Microbiol, 13(1): pp: 74.
  • Souri H, Khatibjoo A, Taherpoor K, Hassan Abadi A, Fattahnia F, Askari M. 2015. Effect of Thymus vulgaris and Satureja khuzestanica ethanolic extracts on broiler chickens’ performance and immune response. Iran J Appl Anim Sci, 5(2): pp: 437-446.
  • Tarladgis BG, Watts BM, Younathan MT, Dugan L. 1960. A distillation method for the quantitative determination of malonaldehyde in rancid foods. J Am Oil Chem Soc, 37: pp: 44-48.
  • Vilmosh N, Georgieva-Kotetarova M, Dimitrova S, Zgureva M, Atanassova PK, Hrischev PI, Kostadinova I. 2023. Composition and chronic toxicity of dry methanol-aqueous extract of wild-growing Satureja montana. Folia Med, 65(3): pp: 482-489.

Differentiation of Growth, Inner Organ Development, Gut Microbiota, Gut Histology and Meat Quality of Japanese Quails Fed Diets Containing Varying Amounts of Satureja spicigera (K. Koch) Boiss Leaf Powder

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 4, 945 - 953, 15.07.2025
https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1663534

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of varying amounts of Satureja spicigera leaf powder (SLP) (the creeping savory) on the growth, inner organ development, gut microbiota, meat quality, and gut histology of quails. The trial included five treatment groups: SLP0 (control, 0%), SLP1 (0.25%), SLP2 (0.5%), SLP3 (0.75%) and SLP4 (1%). The quails were housed in floor pens with 20 chicks per replicate, and there were 4 replicates for each group, leading to a total of 400 quails. At the end of the study, 1 male and 1 female quails from each replicate (a total of 40 quails) were slaughtered, and samples were collected for analysis. Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and visceral organ weights did not change between the groups (P>0.05). Meat quality characteristics (such as sensory criteria) and gut microbiota did not differ between treatment groups. However, a significant reduction in the MDA (Malondialdehyde) level in the breast meat was observed in the SLP1 and SLP2 groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). The breast meat color of the SLP1 and SLP4 groups was significantly lighter than the control group (P<0.05). Villi length (VL) and crypt depth (CD) were greater in the SLP1 group compared to SLP0 and SLP4 groups in the duodenum (P<0.05). The SLP3 group had the highest VL (P<0.01), and the SLP4 group had the lowest CD (P<0.01). Villi length and crypt depth (VL/CD) ratio in SLP3 and SLP4 groups was higher than in SLP0 and SLP1 groups in the jejunum (P<0.05). While no differences in villi length were noted, crypt depth was higher in the SLP3 and SLP4 groups compared to the other groups (P<0.01). The lamina muscularis mucosa (LMM) thickness was lower in the SLP0 group, and VL/CD was lower in the SLP3 group in the ileum (P<0.01). The supplementation of SLP in the diet of Japanese quails enhanced gut health by elevating VL in the duodenum and jejunum, which could enhance digestion. The antioxidant effect of SLP was also evident in the reduction of MDA levels in breast meat. To conclude, Satureja spicigera leaf powder can be considered a useful feed additive in quail breeding, particularly for improving intestinal health and for suppressing MDA formation in quail meats.

Ethical Statement

The authors confirm that the ethical policies of the journal, as noted on the journal's author guidelines page, have been adhered to. The experimental procedures were approved by the Local Animal Care and Ethics Committee of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, 684429034-03 (approval date: 28 February, 2024, Protocol code: 68429034/03).

Thanks

The authors would like to thank Prof. Dr. Hasan Ersin ŞAMLI and Prof. Dr. Ahmet ŞAHİN for their support in this doctoral thesis.

References

  • Anar B. 2022. Etlik piliç rasyonlarına kekik ve biberiye uçucu yağ katkılarının performans ve et kalitesi üzerine etkileri. Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Bursa, Türkiye, pp: 35.
  • Andrić DO, Hristov S, Stanković B, Petrović VC, Pajić M, Nikšić D, Samolovac L, Marinković M. 2023. Medicinal and aromatic plants in livestock farming: A promising approach for boosting health and performance. In: 14th International Symposium Modern Trends in Livestock Production, Belgrade, 27-28 October 2023, Belgrade, Serbia, pp: 460-475.
  • Arak H, Karimi Torshizi MA, Rahimi S. 2013. Study on the effect of Savory Satureja khuzestanica (essential oil and Polysorb toxin-binder against experimental aflatoxicosis in Japanese quail. Vet Clin Pathol Q Sci J, 7(3): pp: 249-259.
  • Arak H, Karimi Torshizi MA, Rahimi S. 2017. Effect of savory (Satureja khuzestanica) essential oil and commercial toxin binder on fertility, hatchability, and progeny performance in breeder quails fed aflatoxin contaminated diets. Anim Sci J, 30(114): pp: 285-294.
  • Arjun SS, Kumari K, Nath DN, Kavita P. 2022. Assessment of lipid profile and carcass traits in quail, fed on diet with incorporation of peppermint leaf powder at various levels. Indian J Anim Nutr, 39(4): pp: 468-479.
  • Azarbad E, Yaghobfar A, Kermanshahi H, Meimandi Pour A. 2019. Effect of different levels of Satureja khuzistanica essential oils in usual and microcapsulated forms in diets on performance, carcass characteristics and meat oxidative stability in broiler chickens. Anim Sci J, 32(123): pp: 217-232.
  • Bozdemir Ç. 2019. Türkiye’de yetişen kekik türleri, ekonomik önemi ve kullanım alanları. YYU J Agric Sci, 29(3): pp: 583-594.
  • Cedillo-Cortezano M, Martinez-Cuevas LR, López JAM, Barrera López I, Escutia-Perez S, Petricevich VL. 2024. Use of medicinal plants in the process of wound healing: a literature review. Pharmaceuticals, 17(3): pp: 303.
  • Dehghani N, Afsharmanesh M, Salarmoini M, Ebrahimnejad H, Bitaraf A. 2018. Effect of pennyroyal, savory and thyme essential oils on Japanese quail physiology. Heliyon, 4(10): pp: 1-7.
  • Kavcı E. 2020. Satureja L. (Lamiaceae) cinsinde yer alan bazı taksonların enzim inhibisyon özellikleri ve karyolojileri üzerine bir çalışma. Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Konya, Türkiye, pp: 22.
  • Masouri L, Salari S, Sari M, Tabatabaei S, Masouri B. 2017. Effect of feed supplementation with Satureja khuzistanica essential oil on performance and physiological parameters of broilers fed on wheat- or maize-based diets. Br Poult Sci, 58(4): pp: 425-434.
  • Mousapour A, Salarmoini M, Afsharmanesh M, Ebrahimnejad H, Meimandipour A. 2020. Efficacy of Savory Essential Oil Utilization in Conventional and Encapsulated Forms on Performance of Broiler Chickens. Braz J Poult Sci, 22(4): pp: 001-012.
  • Movahhedkhah S, Rasouli B, Seidav A, Mazzei D, Laudadio V, Tufarelli V. 2019. Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) extract as natural feed additive in broilers: Effects on growth, plasma constituents, immune response, and ileal microflora. Animals, 9(3): pp: 87.
  • Mozafari S, Seidavi A, Gharahveysi S, Kadim I. 2018. Savory (Satureja hortensis L.) powder and extract effects on broiler chicken ileal Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus bacteria. J Appl Anim Res, 46(1): pp: 639-642.
  • Nasiroleslami M, Torki M, Van Krimpen M. 2016. Effect of dietary inclusion of two sources of selenium and Satureja hortensis essential oil on productive performance of laying hen. 41st Animal Nutrition Research Forum, Tehran, Iran, pp: 63.
  • Paşa C, Kılıç T, Selvi S, Sağır ZÖ. 2019. Satureja cuneifolia Ten. (Lamiaceae) türünün farklı kurutma yöntemleri uygulanarak uçucu yağ oranlarının ve uçucu yağ bileşenlerinin tespit edilmesi. J Inst Sci Technol, 9(4): pp: 2330-2335.
  • Pashtetsky V, Ostapchuk P, Postnikov O, Zubochenko D, Kuevda T. 2020. Effect of Satureja montana essential oil on the bactericidal activity of broiler chickens blood serum. E3S Web Conf, 224: pp: 04023.
  • Rahimi D, Yarahmadi HM, Yaghobfar A, Fakhraei J. 2021. Effects of garlic powder and Satureja khuzestanica essential oil on male Ross 308 chickens performance, blood lipid profile, immune responses, intestinal microflora, and morphology. Jundishapur J Nat Pharm Prod, 16(1): pp: 1-10.
  • Seyedtaghiya MH, Fasaei BN, Peighambari SM. 2021. Antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of Satureja hortensis essential oil against Escherichia coli and Salmonella isolated from poultry. Iran J Microbiol, 13(1): pp: 74.
  • Souri H, Khatibjoo A, Taherpoor K, Hassan Abadi A, Fattahnia F, Askari M. 2015. Effect of Thymus vulgaris and Satureja khuzestanica ethanolic extracts on broiler chickens’ performance and immune response. Iran J Appl Anim Sci, 5(2): pp: 437-446.
  • Tarladgis BG, Watts BM, Younathan MT, Dugan L. 1960. A distillation method for the quantitative determination of malonaldehyde in rancid foods. J Am Oil Chem Soc, 37: pp: 44-48.
  • Vilmosh N, Georgieva-Kotetarova M, Dimitrova S, Zgureva M, Atanassova PK, Hrischev PI, Kostadinova I. 2023. Composition and chronic toxicity of dry methanol-aqueous extract of wild-growing Satureja montana. Folia Med, 65(3): pp: 482-489.
There are 22 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Agricultural Engineering (Other)
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Emine Doğan 0000-0002-9572-6503

İsa Coşkun 0000-0001-5495-6006

Early Pub Date May 4, 2025
Publication Date July 15, 2025
Submission Date March 22, 2025
Acceptance Date April 29, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 8 Issue: 4

Cite

APA Doğan, E., & Coşkun, İ. (2025). Differentiation of Growth, Inner Organ Development, Gut Microbiota, Gut Histology and Meat Quality of Japanese Quails Fed Diets Containing Varying Amounts of Satureja spicigera (K. Koch) Boiss Leaf Powder. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science, 8(4), 945-953. https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1663534
AMA Doğan E, Coşkun İ. Differentiation of Growth, Inner Organ Development, Gut Microbiota, Gut Histology and Meat Quality of Japanese Quails Fed Diets Containing Varying Amounts of Satureja spicigera (K. Koch) Boiss Leaf Powder. BSJ Eng. Sci. July 2025;8(4):945-953. doi:10.34248/bsengineering.1663534
Chicago Doğan, Emine, and İsa Coşkun. “Differentiation of Growth, Inner Organ Development, Gut Microbiota, Gut Histology and Meat Quality of Japanese Quails Fed Diets Containing Varying Amounts of Satureja Spicigera (K. Koch) Boiss Leaf Powder”. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science 8, no. 4 (July 2025): 945-53. https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1663534.
EndNote Doğan E, Coşkun İ (July 1, 2025) Differentiation of Growth, Inner Organ Development, Gut Microbiota, Gut Histology and Meat Quality of Japanese Quails Fed Diets Containing Varying Amounts of Satureja spicigera (K. Koch) Boiss Leaf Powder. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science 8 4 945–953.
IEEE E. Doğan and İ. Coşkun, “Differentiation of Growth, Inner Organ Development, Gut Microbiota, Gut Histology and Meat Quality of Japanese Quails Fed Diets Containing Varying Amounts of Satureja spicigera (K. Koch) Boiss Leaf Powder”, BSJ Eng. Sci., vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 945–953, 2025, doi: 10.34248/bsengineering.1663534.
ISNAD Doğan, Emine - Coşkun, İsa. “Differentiation of Growth, Inner Organ Development, Gut Microbiota, Gut Histology and Meat Quality of Japanese Quails Fed Diets Containing Varying Amounts of Satureja Spicigera (K. Koch) Boiss Leaf Powder”. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science 8/4 (July 2025), 945-953. https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1663534.
JAMA Doğan E, Coşkun İ. Differentiation of Growth, Inner Organ Development, Gut Microbiota, Gut Histology and Meat Quality of Japanese Quails Fed Diets Containing Varying Amounts of Satureja spicigera (K. Koch) Boiss Leaf Powder. BSJ Eng. Sci. 2025;8:945–953.
MLA Doğan, Emine and İsa Coşkun. “Differentiation of Growth, Inner Organ Development, Gut Microbiota, Gut Histology and Meat Quality of Japanese Quails Fed Diets Containing Varying Amounts of Satureja Spicigera (K. Koch) Boiss Leaf Powder”. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science, vol. 8, no. 4, 2025, pp. 945-53, doi:10.34248/bsengineering.1663534.
Vancouver Doğan E, Coşkun İ. Differentiation of Growth, Inner Organ Development, Gut Microbiota, Gut Histology and Meat Quality of Japanese Quails Fed Diets Containing Varying Amounts of Satureja spicigera (K. Koch) Boiss Leaf Powder. BSJ Eng. Sci. 2025;8(4):945-53.

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