The Impact of a Phytobiotic Mixture on Broiler Chicken Health and Meat Safety

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Food safety is becoming one of the key criteria for consumer choices. More and more importance is being attached to the use of alternatives to classical antibiotic therapy, not only in terms of increasing drug resistance but also because of the risk of residues of substances dangerous to humans. Phytobiotics have become some of the most popular and, what is very important, effective forms of support for the classical antibiotics and their reduction in livestock animals. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the effect of a phytobiotic composition that contained several phytoncides—menthol, trans-anethole, methyl salicylate, 1,8-cineole, organic acids, and metal ions (Zn and Mn) on meat quality and safety. The results showed that different doses of this mixture (D1—0.5 mL/L, D2—1 mL/L, D3—2 mL/L), used 4 times during the rearing, do not have negative impacts on bird health or meat quality. No residues of menthol, eucalyptol, methyl salicylate, or anethol were found above the limit of quantification in the investigated samples. Furthermore, no residues of the used product were found in tissues intended for human consumption. ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of different doses of a phytobiotic mixture on selected production parameters and meat quality and to assess the residue of the preparation in tissues and the possible toxic effects in broiler chickens. Broiler chicks aged 160 days, divided into four equal groups, were supplemented with the phytobiotic mixture at different doses, D1—0.5 mL/L, D2—1 mL/L, and D3—2 mL/L, four times during a 42-day trial. There were no statistically significant differences in weight gain per week of life and mortality in the birds. The study also demonstrated that the use of the mixture of phytobiotics had no significant effect on colour, pH, WHC, and natural leakage. However, a beneficial effect of the additive was found in the group treated with a dose of 1 mL/L, where less thermal leakage from the meat was demonstrated. Furthermore, significant differences in the change in thigh muscle tenderness were also observed. In the histopathological analysis of the liver no significant differences were observed. In addition, no residues of the mixture or its metabolites were found in the tissues analysed. In conclusion, the proposed scheme of administration of the phytobiotic additive, regardless of the dose, does not cause pathological changes in organs and does not carry the risk of residues of the product in tissues intended for human consumption.