Trends in Biosciences

This study aims to assess the ability of some components of essential oils (EOs) to destroy Eimeria oocysts in vitro and to find out how the mechanism of action involvedin this coccicidal effect works. A screening of the coccicidal activityof eightEO components was carried out in liquid medium. Carvacrol, carvone, isopulegol, thymol, and eugenol were selected for having the most effective activity. The treatment of Eimeria oocysts with these components leads to their lysis as shown by the release of substances absorbing at 273 nm. These five components have been proven to destroy Eimeria oocysts in a few hours at low concentrations. This coccicidal effect is a consequence of the oocyst's lysis. This work is a preliminary contribution aiming to develop a new generation of natural efficient agents for destroying Eimeria oocysts to fight coccidiosis in broiler chicken.