Phytogenics and essential oil supplementation in rabbit and monogastrate production, a panacea to improved animal production and antibiotic resistance challenge in Nigeria

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance, lipid peroxidation and poor animal performance have been a challenge endemic in the tropics, most especially in Nigeria. Lack of adherence to antibiotic withdrawal periods by farmers and animal producers and high temperature occasioned in the tropics have caused a major problem in the health and agricultural sectors respectively. Antibiotics resistivity in the long run leads to cancer in final consumers. Lipid peroxidation on the other hand caused by high temperature leading to oxidative stress conditions have been found to be a precursor to meat deterioration or spoilage.  This review examines the supplementation or administration of essential oils, its effects on several growth, health and general body parameters. The research adopts qualitative approach to analysis which relied on secondary sources like journals, textbooks, newspapers and online publications. It is concluded that the supplementation and administration of essential oils and several phytogenic could proffer a solution to the problem of antibiotic resistivity and lipid peroxidation, which directly enhances consumer health and boosts animal production. The review recommends that government at all levels work together with universities, agricultural research institutes, ministries of agriculture and veterinary pharmaceutical companies to designate and encourage extraction of essential oils in these perilous times.