Avaliação do ácido benzoico grau alimentar ou associado a óleos essenciais no controle de Brachyspira hyodysenteriae

Abstract

The demand for reduction of antimicrobial growth promoters in food animals is associated with the global increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In response to antimicrobial control policies, research on nutraceutical alternatives has significantly increased. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of pure benzoic acid and its combination with essential oils in inhibiting the growth of B. hyodysenteriae in vitro using the broth microdilution technique. Additionally, we investigated the effects of supplementing these products in pigs experimentally challenged with B. hyodysenteriae, assessing clinical diarrhea, weight gain, macroscopic and histological lesions, bacterial excretion, and oxidative stress parameters. In vitro results demonstrate inhibitory activity capable of preventing antimicrobial growth at doses below supplementation recommendations. In vivo supplementation failed to reduce macro and microscopic lesions, clinical score, and showed intermediate results for fecal bacterial excretion. Furthermore, feed supplementation with pure or essential oil-combined benzoic acid did not alter the weight gain profile; however, there was a change in the antioxidant profile of the intestinal mucosa, with a reduction in superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase activity in at least one of the supplemented groups. In vivo results indicate slight direct activity of supplementation with pure benzoic acid or in combination with essential oils on B. hyodysenteriae infection over the intestinal antioxidant activity. However, little is known about the swine intestinal antioxidant profile in the face of B. hyodysenteriae challenge and supplementation with organic acids and essential oils.