This study was performed to determine the effects of the extracts of two alternative antimicrobial agents that do not harm the ecosystem (rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis and aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis) when added to the feed of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) on the growth performance, proximate composition, and biometric characteristics. Rosemary extract was added to the experimental diet in ratios of 0.1%, 0.25%, and 0.5% while aloe vera extract was added to the experimental diet in ratios of 0.5%, 1%, and 2.5%. After 90 days of the feeding trial, no change was seen in the weight increase, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, condition factor, hepatosomatic index, or viscerosomatic index of the tilapia. The fact that proximate analyses did not differ between groups showed that the plant extracts did not adversely affect the health status of tilapia in the ratios used in this study. As a result, the addition of 0.1%, 0.25%, and 0.5% rosemary extract and the addition of 0.5%, 1%, and 2.5% aloe vera extract to tilapia feeds did not cause changes in the growth performance, biometric indexes, or chemical composition findings of the fish meat.

Phytogenic feed additives have replaced the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in the diet of poultry particularly broiler chickens. Researchers are moving towards the use of natural products such as herbs, spices, plants and plant products, which possess influential effects on growth performance parameters, immune response and treatment of various diseases. Aloe vera is a well-known medicinal plant and is being used for commercial and therapeutic purposes such as antimicrobials, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulator, wound healing, antioxidant and antiprotozoal agents. From a few last decades, the use of Aloe vera has been increased as a natural additive to broiler diet. Based on the review of literature, Aloe vera can improve immune response, growth performance in the broiler, as well as an excellent alternative of AGPs and anticoccidial drugs. It can be used for broiler diet in the form of gel, powder, ethanolic extract and aqueous extract. This review provides information about the use of Aloe vera in broiler production with reference to the effects on growth performance, immune system, intestinal microflora and coccidiosis in broiler chickens.