(1) Background: This study evaluated the effects of a plant bioactive (Phyto Ax’Cell, Phytosynthese, Mozac, France) on the inflammatory status and health of dairy cows during calving. (2) Methods: 46 Holstein crossbred cows were randomized into a control group (CON, n = 23) and the Phyto Ax’Cell group (PAC, n = 23). PAC received Phyto Ax’Cell at 25 g/cow/day, from 15 days prepartum to 7 days postpartum. Blood analyses were performed weekly from D-7 to D14 to evaluate the energy metabolism and inflammatory status; rectal temperature was measured daily within 14 days from calving day (D0). (3) Results: PAC showed lower serum haptoglobin at D7 (0.55 vs. 0.79 mg/mL; p < 0.05) and D14 (0.44 vs. 0.66 mg/mL; p < 0.05). CON had a higher number of circulating white blood cells and granulocytes on D7 (p < 0.05). Fewer cows from PAC showed hyperthermia (≥39 °C) during the first 2 weeks postpartum (−7%, p < 0.05). Energy metabolism, which was represented by the NEFA/cholesterol ratio, improved (0.21 vs. 0.36 at D0, p < 0.1; 0.19 and 0.15 vs. 0.36 and 0.32, respectively, at D+7 and D+14, p < 0.05) under the plant bioactive supplementation. (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that the anti-inflammatory plant bioactive compound with Brazilian green propolis administered during calving had a beneficial effect on the energy and inflammatory status of dairy cows.

Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND) is a serious and emerging disease caused by a group of strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and affects farmed shrimp, particularly whiteleg shrimps (Liptopenaeus vannamei). The objective of this study is to assess the effect of dietary supplementation with two dosages of an essential oil mixture (Phyto AquaBiotic, abbreviated as PAB) on growth performance and mortality reduction after challenge against V. parahaemolyticus. PAB was mixed with basal diets at rates of 0, 1 and 2 g/kg and fed for 42 days. Each tank was stocked with 100 individuals with experimentation performed in triplicate. The results showed an improvement in growth performance in a dose-dependent manner, specifically regarding daily weight gain, specific growth rate and total biomass, which were significantly improved compared to control (p < 0.05). Further, PAB significantly reduced mortalities when challenged against Vibrio parahaemolyticus (p < 0.05) and decreased Vibrio spp. count in the hepatopancreas of infected shrimp. Overall, PAB was efficient in reducing mortalities in cases of disease outbreaks at a rate of 2 g/kg.

This study aimed to assess the effect of dietary supplementation of a mixture of botanical compounds and essential oil (Phyto AquaMeric, PAM) on the growth, immune and antioxidant parameters and environmental benefits in Nile tilapia. Two diets including a control and a PAM-supplemented diet at 0.5 g kg⁻¹ were prepared for the trial. The diets were isonitrogenous (30% crude protein) and isoenergetic (17 MJ kg⁻¹) extruded diets. Nile tilapia weighing initially 74.22 ± 1.96 g fish⁻¹ were stocked in 2 m³ hapas at a density of 20 fish per m³ (40 fish per hapa). Each group was tested in triplicates over 80 days. The antioxidant potential of PAM was compared to vitamin C through KRL test, showing a higher value from 35 to 100 mg. The in vivo trial did not exhibit any significant growth performance improvement. However, the PAM group had a significantly improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER). Moreover, the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Malondialdehyde (MDA), immune parameters (ACH50, lysozyme, phagocytic and phenoloxidase activities), digestive enzymes and hepatic enzymes were significantly improved in the PAM-fed group. An evaluation of eutrophication potential of PAM supplementation revealed a low input in the system. In conclusion, this mixture of botanicals and essential oil exhibited in vitro and in vivo antioxidant potential, improved health and digestive parameters and contributed to a reduced eutrophication risk in the tilapia production system.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of the supplemental plant-based blend Phyto AquaNity (PAN) on growth, profitability and health status of Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) cultured in hapas. Juvenile fish of average weight 73 g were stocked in 2-m³ hapas in triplicates at a density of 20 fish m⁻³ (40 fish hapa⁻¹). Four extruded diets were formulated following isonitrogenous (30% CP), isoenergetic (17 MJ kg⁻¹) standards, with incorporation levels of 0, 0.25, 0.50, or 1.00 g of PAN kg⁻¹ diet. Fish were fed the experimental diets at a daily rate of 2–3% of their body weight (BW) over 80 days. From this study, results showed that growth performance and tissue composition were not significantly impacted by these treatments. Feed intake exhibited a significant reduction while feed efficiency was improved in the groups fed 0.5 g kg⁻¹. Diets supplemented with PAN were also more profitable than the control diet, with 0.5 g kg⁻¹ indicating the highest return (9.24% increase). Digestive enzyme activity and hepatic enzyme activity were significantly improved with an increase in the level of PAN up to 0.50 g kg⁻¹. In addition, immune parameters (lysozyme activity, alternative complement and phagocytic cells) and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) were significantly enhanced with increasing PAN level up to 0.5 g kg⁻¹ (p < 0.05). Gene expression of cytokines was also upregulated in fish fed with PAN at levels of up to 0.5 g kg⁻¹ (p < 0.05). Moreover, the results showed that higher levels of PAN promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria while reducing the load of pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, intestinal fold length and goblet cell count were significantly increased in the group fed PAN up to 0.5 g kg⁻¹. A quadratic regression analyses performed on feed efficiency, profitability, hepatic enzyme activity and gut microbial load revealed that 0.60–0.65 g kg⁻¹ of feed were the optimal dosages. Regarding immunological and antioxidant responses, the optimal dosages ranged between 0.75 and 0.85 g kg⁻¹. Overall, about 0.60–0.85 g PAN kg⁻¹ feed is suggested for optimum performance, profitability, gut health and overall health status of Nile tilapia, depending on the target objective for which this product is added.

This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of a mixture of Silybum marianum L. and Cynara cardunculus scolymus L. standardised extract (PHYTO-LAYER™) expressed as silibinin (2.4 g/L) and chlorogenic acid (2.2 g/L) content, respectively, provided intermittently to caged-laying hens to alleviate fatty liver syndromes, improve blood indices and health. In this study, 792 Lohmann LSL-White hens (41 weeks of age), randomly assigned to 2 replicated groups, control and treated (n = 396 each), were used. The treatment (1 mL/L) was supplied every 2 weeks for 7 days, at different time points (T0-T5) in a 7-week trial, by drinking water. At T0, T3 and T5, 13 identified hens/group were sampled for haematological analysis. At T5, all 13 hens per group were euthanised via cervical dislocation for organ weight, gut pH, and liver histological investigations. The treatment improved red blood cell, haemoglobin, hematocrit, and the serum antioxidant activity (P < 0.05). In treated hens, a reduction of liver weight and serum alanine aminotransferase activity was evidenced, associated with a reduction of liver steatosis cases and severity, evaluated histologically (P < 0.05). Other blood and serum indices were not affected by the treatment (P > 0.05). At T5, in treated hens, the duodenum (proximal tract) showed unexpectedly higher pH, compared to the control hens (P < 0.05). This study showed that the combined phytoextracts administration is useful in improving the liver health of caged-laying hens affected by liver disorders, reducing liver steatosis, associated with an upgrade of main blood indices.