The effect of allicin on the intestinal microbiota and production efficiency in selected farm animals

Aleksandra Jarosz; Kamil Drabik; Piotr Domaradzki; Magdalena Sapała; Monika Ziomek; Justyna Batkowska; Tomasz Grenda

doi:10.2478/jvetres-2026-0026

.blurhash-client-img { display: none !important; }

The effect of allicin on the intestinal microbiota and production efficiency in selected farm animals

Journal of Veterinary Research

AHEAD OF PRINT

By: Aleksandra Jarosz , Kamil Drabik , Piotr Domaradzki , Magdalena Sapała , Monika Ziomek , Justyna Batkowska and Tomasz Grenda

Open Access

|May 2026

Abu El Hammed W., Soufy H., El-Shemy A., Nasr S.M., Dessouky M.I.: Use of allicin as feed additive to enhance vaccination capacity of Clostridium perfringens toxoid in rabbits. Vaccine 2016, 34, 17, 2000–2007, doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.02.073.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Adjei M.B., Atuahene C.C., Attoh-Kotoku V.: Effects of dietary allicin on health and blood profile of broiler chickens. J Anim Sci Adv 2015, 5, 1287–1294, doi: 10.5455/jasa.20150513121047.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ankri S., Mirelman D.: Antimicrobial properties of allicin from garlic. Microbes Infect 1999, 1, 125–129, doi: 10.1016/s1286-4579(99)80003-3.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bhatwalkar S.B., Mondal R., Krishna S.B.N., Adam J.K., Govender P., Anupam R.: Antibacterial properties of organosulphur compounds of garlic (Allium sativum). Front Microbiol 2021, 12, 613077, doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.613077.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Borlinghaus J., Albrecht F., Gruhlke M.C.H., Nwachukwu I.D., Slusarenko A.J.: Allicin: chemistry and biological properties. Molecules 2014, 19, 12591–12618, doi: 10.3390/molecules190812591.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cavallito C.J., Bailey J.H.: Allicin, the antibacterial principle of Allium sativum. I. Isolation, physical properties and antibacterial action. J Am Chem Soc 1944, 66, 1950–1951, doi: 10.1021/ja01239a048.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Chen J., Wang F., Yin Y., Ma X.: The nutritional applications of garlic (Allium sativum) as natural feed additives in animals. Peer J 2021, 9, e11934, doi: 0.7717/peerj.11934.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
D’Amico F., Casalino G., Dinardo F.R., Schiavitto M., Camarda A., Romito D., Bove A., Circella E.: Antimicrobial efficacy of Phyto-L, thiosulphonate from Allium spp. containing supplement, against Escherichia coli strains from rabbits. Vet Sci 2023, 10, 411, doi: 10.3390/vetsci10070411.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Davis S.R.: An overview of the antifungal properties of allicin and its breakdown products – The possibility of a safe and effective antifungal prophylactic. Mycoses 2005, 48, 95–100, doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2004.01076.x.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ding H., Ao C., Zhang X.: Potential use of garlic products in ruminant feeding: a review. Anim Nutr 2023, 14, 343–355, doi: 10.1016/j.aninu.2023.04.011.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Du H., Erdene K., Chen S., Qi S., Bao Z., Zhao Y., Wang C., Zhao G., Ao C.: Correlation of the rumen fluid microbiome and the average daily gain with a dietary supplementation of Allium mongolicum Regel extracts in sheep. J Anim Sci 2019, 97, 2865–2877, doi: 10.1093/jas/skz139.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
El-Ghany W.A.A.: Potential effects of garlic (Allium sativum L.) on the performance, immunity, gut health, anti-oxidant status, blood parameters, and intestinal microbiota of poultry: an updated comprehensive review. Animals 2024, 14, 498, doi: 10.3390/ani14030498.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ferme D., Banjac M., Calsamiglia S., Busquet M., Kamel C., Avgustin G.: The effects of plant extracts on microbial community structure in a rumen-simulating continuous-culture system as revealed by molecular profiling. Folia Microbiol 2004, 49, 151–155, doi: 10.1007/BF02931391.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Fujisawa H., Suma K., Origuchi K., Kumagai H., Seki T., Ariga T.: Biological and chemical stability of garlic-derived allicin. J Agric Food Chem 2008, 56, 4229–4235, doi: 10.1021/jf8000907.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Guo P., Zhang K., Ma X., He P.: Clostridium species as probiotics: potentials and challenges. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2020, 11, 24, doi: 10.1186/s40104-019-0402-1.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ilić D., Nikolić V., Nikolić L., Stankovic M., Stanojević L., Cakic M.: Allicin and related compounds: biosynthesis, synthesis and pharmacological activity. Facta Univ Phys Chem Tech 2011, 9, 9–20, doi: 10.2298/FUPCT1101009I.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kalia V.C., Mukherjee T., Bhushan A., Joshi J., Shankar P., Huma N.: Analysis of the unexplored features of rrs (16S rDNA) of the genus Clostridium. BMC Genomics 2011, 12, 18, doi: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-18.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Khan R.U., Nikousefat Z., Tufarelli V., Naz S., Javdani M., Laudadio V.: Garlic (Allium sativum) supplementation in poultry diets: effect on production and physiology. Worlds Poult Sci J 2012, 68, 417–424, doi: 10.1017/S0043933912000530.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kirubakaran A., Moorthy M., Chitra R., Prabakar G.: Influence of combinations of fenugreek, garlic, and black pepper powder on production traits of the broilers. Vet World 2016, 9, 470–474, doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.470-474.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kothari D., Lee W.-D., Niu K.-M., Kim S.-K.: The genus Allium as poultry feed additive: a review. Animals 2019, 9, 1032, doi: 10.3390/ani9121032.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Krstin S., Sobeh M., Braun M.S., Wink M.: Tulbaghia violacea and Allium ursinum extracts exhibit anti-parasitic and antimicrobial activities. Molecules 2018, 23, 313, doi: 10.3390/molecules23020313.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kyung K.H.: Antimicrobial properties of allium species. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2012, 23, 142–147, doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2011.08.004.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lawson L.D., Gardner C.D.: Composition, stability, and bioavailability of garlic products used in a clinical trial. J Agric Food Chem 2005, 53, 6254–6261, doi: 10.1021/jf050536+.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lawson L.D., Hunsaker S.M., Lawson L.D., Hunsaker S.M.: Allicin bioavailability and bioequivalence from garlic supplements and garlic foods. Nutrients Basel 2018, 10, 812, doi: 10.3390/nu10070812.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Leontiev R., Hohaus N., Jacob C., Gruhlke M.C.H., Slusarenko A.J.: A comparison of the antibacterial and antifungal activities of thiosulfinate analogues of Allicin. Sci Rep 2018, 8, 6763, doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-25154-9.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ley R.E., Bäckhed F., Turnbaugh P., Lozupone C.A., Knight R.D., Gordon J.I.: Obesity alters gut microbial ecology. Proc Nat Acad ScitU S A 2005, 102, 11070–11075, doi: 10.1073/pnas.0504978102.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Makuch A., Ziomek M., Sapała M., Drabik K., Batkowska J., Domaradzki P., Patyra E., Grenda T.: The impact of allicin on the growth of Clostridium spp. in the digestive track of quails. Animals 2025, 15, 7, doi: 10.3390/ani15070906.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Manson J.M., Rauch M., Gilmore M.S.: The commensal microbiology of the gastrointestinal tract. Adv Exp Med Biol 2008, 635, 15–28, doi: 10.1007/978-0-387-09550-9_2.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Marchese A., Barbieri R., Sanches-Silva A., Daglia M., Nabavi S.F., Jafari N.J., Izadi M., Ajami M., Nabavi S.M.: Antifungal and antibacterial activities of allicin: a review. Trends Food Sci Technol 2016, 52, 49–56, doi: 10.1016/j.tifs.2016.03.010.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mariezcurrena-Berasain M.D., Mariezcurrena-Berasain M.A., Pinzón-Martínez D.L., Arzate-Serrano H.D., Ugbogu E.A., Salem A.Z.M.: Influence of dietary supplementation of garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract on cecal productions of total gas, carbon dioxide and fermentation profiles in rabbits. Agroforest Sys 2020, 94, 1591–1599, doi: 10.1007/s10457-018-0321-8.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mikaili P., Maadirad S., Moloudizargari M., Aghajanshakeri S., Sarahroodi S.: Therapeutic uses and pharmacological properties of garlic, shallot, and their biologically active compounds. Iran J Basic Med Sci 2013, 16, 1031–1048.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Miron T., Bercovici T., Rabinkov A., Wilchek M., Mirelman D.: [3H]Allicin: preparation and applications. Anal Biochem 2004, 331, 364–369, doi: 10.1016/j.ab.2004.03.054.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Miron T., Rabinkov A., Mirelman D., Wilchek M., Weiner L.: The mode of action of allicin: Its ready permeability through phospholipid membranes may contribute to its biological activity. Biochim Biophys Acta Biomembr 2000, 1463, 20–30, doi: 10.1016/s0005-2736(99)00174-1.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Mirzaei-Aghsaghali170 A., Syadati S.A., Fathi H., Rasouli S., Sadaghian M., Tarahomi M.: Garlic in ruminants feeding. Asian J Biol Sci 2012, 5, 328–340, doi: 10.3923/ajbs.2012.328.340.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Nakamoto M., Kunimura K., Suzuki J.-I., Kodera Y.: Antimicrobial properties of hydrophobic compounds in garlic: allicin, vinyldithiin, ajoene and diallyl polysulphides (review). Exp Ther Med 2020, 19, 1550–1553, doi: 10.3892/etm.2019.8388.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Navidshad B., Darabighane B., Malecky M.: Garlic: an alternative to antibiotics in poultry production, a review. Iran J Appl Anim Sci 2018, 8, 9–17.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Nikolic V., Stankovic M., Nikolic L., Cvetkovic D.: Mechanism and kinetics of synthesis of allicin. Pharmazie 2004, 59, 10–14.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ogbuewu I.P., Okoro V.M., Mbajiorgu E.F., Mbajiorgu C.A.: Beneficial effects of garlic in livestock and poultry nutrition: a review. Agric Res 2018, 4, 411–426, doi: 10.1007/s40003-018-0390-y.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Omer H., Ahmed S., Bassuony N., Badr A., Hasanin M.: Impact of adding bioactive mixture composed of lemon, onion and garlic juice on performance, carcass chracteristics and some microbiological parameters of rabbits. Adv Env Biol 2015, 9, 50–61, doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.30805.47847.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Peck M.W., Smith T.J., Anniballi F., Austin J.W., Bano L., Bradshaw M., Cuervo P., Cheng L.W., Derman Y., Dorner B.G., Fisher A., Hill K.K., Kalb S.R., Korkeala H., Lindström M., Lista F., Lúquez C., Mazuet C., Pirazzini M., Stringer S.C.: Historical perspectives and guidelines for botulinum neurotoxin subtype nomenclature. Toxins 2017, 9, 38, doi: 10.3390/toxins9010038.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pérez-Giraldo C., Cruz-Villalón G., Sánchez-Silos R., Martínez-Rubio R., Blanco M.T., Gómez-García A.C.: In vitro activity of allicin against Staphylococcus epidermidis and influence of subinhibitory concentrations on biofilm formation. J Appl Microbiol 2003, 95, 709–711, doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2672.2003.02030.x.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pinzón Martínez D.L., Mariezcurrena-Berasain M.D., Arzate Serrano H.D., Mariezcurrena-Berasain M.A., Mohamed Salem A.Z., Medina García A.: Effect of the addition of aqueous extract of garlic (Allium sativum) to the diet of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on the productivity and on the physical and microbiological quality of the meat. Rev Mexicana Cienc Pecu 2020, 11, 686–700, doi: 10.22319/rmcp.v11i3.4669.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Poulain B., Popoff M.R.: Why are botulinum neurotoxinproducing bacteria so diverse and botulinum neurotoxins so toxic? Toxins 2019, 11, 34, doi: 10.3390/toxins11010034.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Puvača N., Ljubojević D., Kostadinović L., Lukač D., Lević J., Popović S., Đuragić O.: Spices and herbs in broilers nutrition: effects of garlic (Allium sativum L.) on broiler chicken production. Worlds Poult Sci J 2015, 71, 533–538, doi: 10.1017/S0043933915002214.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rabinkov A., Miron T., Konstantinovski L., Wilchek M., Mirelman D., Weiner L.: The mode of action of allicin: trapping of radicals and interaction with thiol containing proteins. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 1998, 1379, 233–244, doi: 0.1016/S0304-4165(97)00104-9.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Reiter J., Hübbers A.M., Albrecht F., Leichert L.I.O., Slusarenko A.J.: Allicin, a natural antimicrobial defence substance from garlic, inhibits DNA gyrase activity in bacteria. Int J Med Microbiol 2020, 310, 151359, doi: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2019.151359.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rood J.I., Adams V., Lacey J., Lyras D., McClane B.A., Melville S.B., Moore R.J., Popoff M.R., Sarker M.R., Songer J.G., Uzal F.A., Van Immerseel F.: Expansion of the Clostridium perfringens toxin-based typing scheme. Anaerobe 2018, 53, 5–10, doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2018.04.011.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Salehi B., Zucca P., Orhan I.E., Azzini E., Adetunji C.O., Mohammed S.A., Banerjee S.K., Sharopov F., Rigano D., Sharifi-Rad J., Armstrong L., Martorell M., Sureda A., Martins N., Selamoğlu Z., Ahmad Z.: Allicin and health: a comprehensive review. Trends Food Sci Technol 2019, 86, 502–516, doi: 10.1016/j.tifs.2019.03.003.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sarvizadeh M., Hasanpour O., Naderi Ghale-Noie Z., Mollazadeh S., Rezaei M., Pourghadamyari H., Masoud Khooy M., Aschner M., Khan H., Rezaei N., Shojaie L., Mirzaei H.: Allicin and digestive system cancers: from chemical structure to its therapeutic opportunities. Front Oncol 2021, 11, 650256, doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.650256.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Savairam V.D., Patil N.A., Borate S.R., Ghaisas M.M., Shete R.V.: Allicin: a review of its important pharmacological activities. Pharmacol Res Mod Chin Med 2023, 8, 100283, doi: 10.1016/j.prmcm.2023.100283.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sheoran N., Kumar R., Kumar A., Batra K., Sihag S., Maan S., Maan N.S.: Nutrigenomic evaluation of garlic (Allium sativum) and holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) leaf powder supplementation on growth performance and immune characteristics in broilers. Vet World 2017, 10, 121–129, doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.121-129.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Strickland V.J., Krebs G.L., Potts W.: Pumpkin kernel and garlic as alternative treatments for the control of Haemonchus contortus in sheep. Anim Prod Sci 2009, 49, 139–144, doi: 10.1071/EA07378.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Uzal F.A.: Chapter 8, Diseases Produced by Clostridium perfringens Type A in Mammalian Species. In: Clostridial Diseases of Animals, edited by F.A. Uzal, J.G. Songer, J.A. Prescott, M.R. Popoff, Wiley Blackwell, Ames, IA, USA, 2016, pp 107–116, doi: 10.1002/9781118728291.ch8.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wang G.-C., Han L.-L., Wang J., Lang W.-N., Pan C.-Y., Li Y.-F.: Effects of allicin on lipid metabolism and antioxidant activity in chickens. J Northeast Agric Univ 2014, 21, 46–49, doi: 10.1016/S1006-8104(14)60068-4.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Yu T.-H., Wu C.-M.: Stability of allicin in garlic juice. J Food Sci 1989, 54, 977–981, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2621.1989.tb07926.x.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zhou Y., Li X., Luo W., Zhu J., Zhao J., Wang M., Sang L., Chang B., Wang B.: Allicin in digestive system cancer: from biological effects to clinical treatment. Front Pharmacol 2022, 13, 903259, doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.903259.
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Authors

Metrics

Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2026-0026 | Journal eISSN: 2450-8608

Journal RSS Feed

Language: English

Submitted on: Dec 5, 2025

Accepted on: May 6, 2026

Published on: May 12, 2026

Published by: National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

Keywords:

allicin,

intestinal microbiota,

livestock industry,

biological properties

Related subjects:

Life sciences,

Molecular biology,

Microbiology and virology,

Life sciences, other,

Medicine,

Veterinary medicine

© 2026 Aleksandra Jarosz, Kamil Drabik, Piotr Domaradzki, Magdalena Sapała, Monika Ziomek, Justyna Batkowska, Tomasz Grenda, published by National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

AHEAD OF PRINT