Evaluation of wet and dehydrated citrus pulp on parasitological and hematological parameters of sheep

Abstract

One of the main problems in sheep production is the parasitism by gastrointestinal nematodes, which increases considerably the economic losses. The control parasitism is done, basically, with anthelmintics, most of time in incorrect way, accelerating the development of parasite resistance. Beside this, the adverse effects of antiparasitic drugs on environment and their toxic effect on the fauna that colonize the feces on the ground must be highlighted. Consumer demands for healthier food encourage the search for alternatives ways to prevention of parasitic diseases. Research in phytotherapy is one of alternative areas of interest. It could be a tool in residue reductions, beside of prolonging the life of available commercial drugs. The wet orange pulp and dried citrus pulp may have a great importance as phytotherapic anthelmintics once they have essential oils in its composition with great amount of terpenes, which are secondary metabolites that can cause toxic interference in biochemical and physiological parasites functions. (AU)