The zoonotic enteropathogens such as Salmonella spp., E. coli 0157, C. jejunii and Cl.
perfringens are still a serious problem in exporting frozen broiler. In addition, prohibition
of antibiotic use as growth promoting agents in feed will increase chances of the bacterial
infection in chicken. Hence, we focussed on screening of essential oils which possess
antibacterial activity against these enteropathogens. Our first screening showed that oil
from M. arvensis var. piperacens was the most effective essential oil followed by C.
citratus, C. bejolghota, Z. cassumuna and O. basilicum var. citratum. When these five
selected essential oil samples were tested against more Salmonella strains, it was found
that oil of Z. cassumuna showed the highest antibacterial activity followed by C.
bejolghota, M. arvensis var. piperacens, C. citratus and O. basilacum var. citratum. The
results demonstrate the promising possibility in using these essential oils as an alternative
to antibiotic used in animal feed.