Functional analysis of changes in gut microbiota genetic potential in broilers supplemented with 2% oregano

Oregano-based products, especially oregano’s most potent antimicrobial volatile compounds, carvacrol and thymol, are common ingredients of many phytobiotic products on the market. Here we investigated the changes oregano inclusion in broiler feed induces in the genetic function capabilities of the gut microbiota. Oregano changed the phylogenetic composition of the gut microbiota, resulting in a significantly reduced abundance of bacterial genes involved in bacterial motility, flagella, bacterial secretion, and bacterial ability to invade epithelial cells. Oregano may therefore reduce the genetic ability of intestinal bacteria to contribute to a range of infectious diseases. There were also reductions in the abundance of genes involved in intestinal metabolic and digestive functions.