Effect of dietary enzymes on the ileal digestibility and abdominal fat content in broilers

The effects of purified cellulase and a commercial feed enzyme (FE) containing cellulase, hemicellulase, pectinase and so on, on the performance, abdominal fat content, digestibility of ileal contents and metabolizable energy of broilers were examined. Male broiler chicks (Cobb strain) were divided into three groups: control, cellulase (1 U/g feed) and FE (0.6 mg/g feed) with seven replicates. Chicks were raised under a temperature condition of 25°C in wire bottom cages for 12 days from 15 days of age. Feed (corn–soybean meal diet: crude protein, 21%; metabolizable energy, 3000 kcal/kg) and water were offered ad libitum. Dietary cellulase had a negative effect on the bodyweight gain and feed conversion ratio. The FE had no effect on bodyweight gain, but tended to improve the feed conversion ratio. The ileal crude protein and ash digestibilities were improved by the FE, but not by the cellulase. Furthermore, cellulase decreased the abdominal fat content and the FE increased metabolizable energy. In conclusion, digestion is enhanced and an improvement in performance is brought about by FE and, interestingly, fat metabolism is affected by cellulase by an unknown mechanism.     

A mixture of pure cellulase, hemicellulase and pectinase improves broiler performance

1. The effects of a mixture of pure enzymes (cellulase, hemicellulase and pectinase) and a commercial enzyme, Energex, were examined on performance and metabolisabilities in broiler chicks given a maize-soybean meal diet. Composition of the mixed enzyme was similar to Energex except that protease was not present. 2. Chicks were divided into three groups: control, mixed enzyme and Energex with 7 replicates per group. Male broiler chicks were raised at 25 degrees C in wire-floored cages for 12 d from 15 d of age. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. 3. The Energex group gained significantly more weight and the mixed enzyme group tended to gain more than the control. Feed intakes were similar and thus the feed conversion ratio of Energex was significantly improved while it tended to be improved by the mixed enzyme. 4. The mixed enzyme group showed significant improvement in carcase and muscle weight when compared with the control group. The mixed enzyme group also showed significant improvement in organic matter and crude protein metabolisabilities. In the groups given enzyme, abdominal fat weight tended to decrease. 5. It is concluded that a combination of cellulase, hemicellulase and pectinase is effective in improving organic matter and crude protein metabolisabilities and carcase yield of broilers on a maize-soybean meal diet.     

Effects of A Multi-Enzyme Complex or Probiotic Supplementation on Performance and Nutrient Digestibility of Broiler Chicks

This experiment was conducted to determine whether the performance of broilers fed diets based on corn and soybean meal could be enhanced with enzymes or probiotics.A total of 120 male broilers,three days of age,were assigned to one of four treatments in a completely randomized design,and housed in groups of five with six cages per treatment.The control diet was based on corn and soybean meal while the three experimental diets consisted of the basal diet supplemented with 0.1% of enzyme I,enzyme II,or probiotic.Enzyme I provided α-galactosidase and β-mannanase,while enzyme II provided protease,amylase,α-galactosidase,xylanase,and cellulase.The probiotic was composed of Bacillus coagulance,Bacillus lichenformis,Bacillus subtilis,and Clostridium butyricum.Over the 28 day experiment,the weight gain of birds fed the probiotic treatment was superior(P=0.03)to the control,while gains for the enzyme treatments were intermediate to those of the control and probiotic.Feed intake and feed conversion did not differ among treatments(P0.05).Ammonia production was significantly(P0.01)higher in the control compared with either of the enzyme or probiotic treatments.Compared with the control,supplementation with enzyme II significantly reduced the digestibility of arginine,isoleucine,and lysine(P0.05).In contrast,the digestibility of energy was higher(P0.01)for birds supplemented with enzyme II than the control.Digestibility coefficients did not differ for any other parameter with the exception of energy which was significantly higher for birds fed the probiotic treatment than the control(P0.01).In summary,the performance of broilers was significantly enhanced by the addition of a probiotic to the diet.However,under the conditions of this experiment,supplementation with a multi-enzyme complex containing either α-galactosidase and β-mannanase or the combination of protease,amylase,galactosidase,xylanase,and cellulase failed to improve broiler performance.     

Effects of exogenous enzymes in corn-based and Canadian pearl millet-based diets with reduced soybean meal on growth performance, intestinal nutrient digestibility, villus development, and selected microbial populations in broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted to compare a commercial corn-soybean meal diet with a pearl millet diet containing less soybean meal (-27%), alone or in combination with exogenous enzymes, on growth performance, jejunal villus development, ileal CP, and AA digestibility, and cecal microbial populations in broilers. One hundred sixty 1-d-old male Ross 508 broilers (5/cage) were randomly allocated to one of the following dietary treatments: 1) a standard corn-soybean meal control diet (CTL); 2) a pearl millet-soybean meal diet (PM); 3) CTL + exogenous enzymes (CE); and 4) PM + exogenous enzymes (PE) with 8 replicate cages/treatment. The PM and PE diets contained less soybean meal because of greater CP and AA contents of pearl millet. All diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly over 35 d. At d 21 and 35, 8 broilers per treatment were euthanized for sample collection and analyses. Gain-to-feed was greater (P < 0.01) for pearl millet- than corn-based diets. Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of CP and most AA was similar between corn-based and pearl millet-based diets, and enzyme supplementation improved AID of CP (P < 0.01) and most AA at both d 21 and 35. However, for AID of some AA at d 21, the response to enzyme supplementation was less pronounced in broilers fed pearl millet-based diets than those fed corn-based diets (grain × enzyme, P ≤ 0.05). The villus was longer (P < 0.01) in broilers fed PM and PE than CTL and CE at d 35. Similarly, at d 35, lactobacilli loads were greater (P < 0.01) in broilers fed PM and PE than CTL and CE. It is concluded that, in comparison with corn, broiler diets formulated with pearl millet require less soybean meal and can be used to improve growth performance traits, intestinal lactobacilli populations, and villus development, whereas enzyme supplementation increases AID of CP and AA.     

Replacing corn with pearl millet (raw and sprouted) with and without enzyme in chickens' diet

An experiment was conducted to compare a commercial corn–soya bean meal diet with a pearl millet (raw and sprouted) diet containing less soya bean meal, alone or in combination with exogenous enzyme, on growth performance and ileal villus development of chicks. Two‐hundred‐and‐forty‐one‐day‐old male broilers (10/pen) were randomly allocated to one of the following dietary treatments: (i) a standard corn–soya bean meal control diet (CTL); (ii) a raw pearl millet‐soya bean meal diet (PM); (iii) a sprouted pearl millet‐soya bean meal diet (SPM); (iv) CTL + exogenous enzymes (CE); (v) PM + exogenous enzymes (PE); and (vi) SPM + exogenous enzymes (SPE) with four replicate pens/treatment. Body weight of birds at day 21 did not differ between those fed the CTL, and SPM and PE diets. In comparison with feeding broilers the CTL diet, feeding the PE and SPM diets caused significant decrease in feed intake, but with equivalent growth and feed efficiency. However, at day 21, feed conversion ratio did not differ between birds fed the CTL diet and those fed the PM, PE and SPM diets. At day 21, broilers fed the PM and PE diets had longer villi (p < 0.05) than those fed the CTL diet. At day 21, villi width was reduced (p < 0.05) by raw pearl millet supplementation than CTL diet. It is concluded that, in comparison with corn, broiler diets formulated with sprouted pearl millet or pearl millet with enzyme require less soya bean meal and can be used to improve growth performance traits and villus development.     

复合酶对临武鸭几种饼粕饲料原料养分利用率和代谢能的影响

本试验旨在研究复合酶(蛋白酶、纤维素酶和木聚糖酶)对临武鸭几种饼粕饲料原料(大豆粕、大豆渣、棉籽粕、2种菜籽粕、花生仁粕、2种芝麻粕)养分利用率和代谢能的影响。试验选用48只体重2.0 kg左右的健康成年临武鸭公鸭,随机分为6组,每组8个重复,每个重复1只鸭。采用绝食强饲-全收粪法进行3个批次代谢试验,每种原料均设对照组和添加复合酶组(试验原料中添加250 mg/kg的复合酶),对每只试验鸭强饲60 g试验原料,内源组强饲60 g无氮饲粮。测定添加复合酶条件下,临武鸭对8个饼粕饲料原料的表观代谢能(AME)、真代谢能(TME)及干物质(DM)、粗蛋白质(CP)、粗脂肪(EE)和粗纤维(CF)表观利用率和真可利用率。结果表明:临武鸭对8个饼粕类原料的DM、CP、EE和CF表观利用率分别为38.85%~62.86%、50.73%~65.39%、50.16%~74.50%和32.32%~46.46%,AM E和TM E分别为6.82~12.72 M J/kg,8.79~14.69 M J/kg,添加复合酶使临武鸭对几种饼粕饲料原料的DM、CP、EE和CF的有效营养改进值(ENIV)分别为6.25~21.70 g/kg、2.60~16.73 g/kg、0.13~8.66 g/kg和0.66~2.74 g/kg,TM E提高了0.19~1.15 M J/kg。由此可知,添加复合酶能够一定程度地提高临武鸭对饼粕饲料原料的养分利用率和代谢能。     

Dietary rice improves growth performance,mucosal enzyme activities and plasma urea nitrogen in weaning piglets

In this study, we evaluated the nutritional functions of rice for weaning piglets. Sixteen weaning piglets with an average initial weight of 7.2 kg were divided into two groups. One group was fed a corn‐soybean meal based diet, and the other was fed a rice‐soybean meal based diet, containing 50% corn and rice, respectively. A 2 weeks growth trial was conducted and growth performance, intestinal mucosal enzyme activities and plasma urea nitrogen were measured. The average daily gain in rice‐fed piglets was significantly higher than that in corn‐fed piglets and the average daily feed intake tended to be higher in rice‐fed piglets than in corn‐fed piglets. Maltase and aminopeptidase activities (mol/g tissue) in the jejunum in rice‐fed piglets were significantly higher than those in corn‐fed piglets, although these enzyme activities were not different in the duodenum. Sucrase and dipeptidyl peptidase IV activities in the two groups were not different in either the duodenum or jejunum. Although the feed (nitrogen) intake was higher in rice‐fed piglets, the plasma urea nitrogen in rice‐fed piglets was significantly lower (P = 0.006) than that in corn‐fed piglets. These results indicate that rice is a good alternative feedstuff for the diet of weaning piglets.     

不同玉米脱水酒精糟及其可溶物含量饲料中添加非淀粉多糖酶对大菱鲆幼鱼生长性能、营养物质消化率及抗氧化能力的影响

本试验旨在研究不同玉米脱水酒精糟及其可溶物(DDGS)含量饲料中添加非淀粉多糖酶对大菱鲆幼鱼生长性能、营养物质消化率及抗氧化能力的影响。选用720尾初重为(13.00±0.01)g的大菱鲆幼鱼,随机分为8个组,每个组设3个重复,每个重复30尾鱼。D3、D6、D9、D12组为不加酶对照组,分别饲喂以玉米DDGS替代基础饲料中3%、6%、9%、12%鱼粉的试验饲料;D3+、D6+、D9+、D12+组为加酶试验组,分别饲喂以玉米DDGS替代基础饲料中3%、6%、9%、12%鱼粉并添加木聚糖酶(活性为120 163U/g,添加量为20g/t)和纤维素酶(活性为13 424U/g,添加量为300g/t)的试验饲料。试验期为9周。结果表明:大菱鲆幼鱼饲喂相同玉米DDGS含量的饲料时,加酶试验组的终末体重、增重率、特定生长率、饲料效率均高于不加酶对照组,但差异未达显著水平(P0.05)。各组大菱鲆幼鱼摄食率以及全鱼水分、粗蛋白质、粗脂肪含量无显著差异(P0.05),肥满度、肝体比和脏体比也无显著差异(P0.05)。大菱鲆幼鱼饲喂相同玉米DDGS含量的饲料时,加酶试验组的干物质和粗蛋白质表观消化率均高于不加酶对照组,其中D9+组的干物质表观消化率较D9组显著升高(P0.05),D3+组的粗蛋白质表观消化率较D3组显著升高(P0.05),D12+组的粗蛋白质表观消化率较D12组显著升高(P0.05)。大菱鲆幼鱼饲喂相同玉米DDGS含量的饲料时,加酶试验组大菱鲆幼鱼血清超氧化物歧化酶和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶的活性均较不加酶对照组显著提高(P0.05),血清丙二醛的含量较不加酶对照组显著降低(P0.05)。由此得出,在不同玉米DDGS含量饲料中添加非淀粉多糖酶提高了大菱鲆幼鱼对饲料的利用效果。     

玉米-豆粕型日粮中添加木聚糖酶对肉鸡生产性能和内源酶活性的影响

试验选用270羽1日龄艾维茵健康肉仔鸡,随机分成3组,研究了玉米-豆粕型日粮条件下添加不同水平的木聚糖酶对肉鸡生产性能和内源酶活性的影响。结果表明,添加25g/t和50g/t的木聚糖酶可提高肉鸡的日增重,降低料重比;提高胃蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶、胰淀粉酶和胰脂肪酶酶活力,同时亦显著提高了肉鸡的生产效益。     

嗜热毛壳菌纤维复合酶对饲料中蛋白质和能量代谢率的影响

本研究选用42日龄的健康AA肉鸡36羽,随机分成12组,采用排空强饲法研究了嗜热毛壳菌纤维复合酶对6种肉鸡常用饲料中粗蛋白质和能量代谢率的影响。试验选择肉鸡常用的3种蛋白质饲料(棉粕、豆粕和花生粕)和3种能量饲料(玉米、小麦和次粉),每种饲料分成2组,即对照组和加酶组。试验结果表明:嗜热毛壳菌纤维复合酶能显著提高棉粕和小麦中粗蛋白质的表观代谢率(P<0.05),对豆粕、花生粕、玉米和次粉中粗蛋白质的表观代谢率的影响差异不显著(P>0.05);能使小麦的表观代谢能提高7.52%(P<0.05),玉米和次粉的表观代谢能分别提高9.06%和10.93%(P<0.01)。使棉粕的表观代谢能提高5.12%,花生粕提高4.06%,豆粕提高1.91%(P>0.05);可以使玉米和次粉中能量的表观代谢率分别提高9.04%和10.95%,均差异极显著(P<0.01);小麦中能量的表观代谢率提高了7.55%(P<0.05)。对棉粕、花生粕、豆粕等蛋白质饲料中的能量表观代谢率无显著影响(P>0.05)。     

Effect of xylanase and beta-glucanase supplementation of wheat- or wheat- and barley-based diets on the performance of male turkeys

The efficiency of a mixture of xylanase and beta-glucanase enzymes was evaluated in two separate experiments on growing turkeys offered diets based on wheat or wheat and barley. 2. In the first experiment, the addition of 560 and 2800 IU of xylanase and beta-glucanase, respectively, per kg of diet significantly improved feed efficiency in turkeys fed on wheat- and barley-based diet throughout the entire experiment (42 d). 3. In the second experiment, the enzyme mixture significantly increased N-corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEN) by approximately 5%. 4. Furthermore, the combination of xylanase and beta-glucanase significantly improved body weight gain and feed efficiency. Feed efficiency was increased by 2.94, 2.47 and 5.91% in diets based on 500 then 540 g of wheat/kg of diet, 394 then 384 g of wheat and 100 then 150 g of barley/kg of diet and 180 g of wheat and 300 then 350 g of barley/kg of diet, respectively. 5. This enzyme mixture decreased in vitro viscosity of wheat, barley and soybean meal, the effect being larger for wheat and barley than for soybean meal. 6. In conclusion, the supplementation of diets based on wheat and barley with xylanase and beta-glucanase significantly improved body weight gain and feed efficiency. Therefore, wheat and barley could be used more efficiently by turkeys in the presence of an appropriate enzyme preparation.     

不同水平纤维素酶对肉鸡屠宰性能、免疫器官指数及血清生化指标的影响

试验选用1dAA＋肉鸡1050羽作为试验动物,随机分为7个组,每组5个重复,每个重复30羽,分别饲喂不同水平的纤维素酶,试验期42d,分别于21d、42d测定肉鸡的屠宰率、半净膛率和腹脂率;同时测定胸腺、脾脏和法氏囊的器官指数及血清中血糖和尿素氮含量。试验结果表明,添加不同水平的纤维素酶对21d肉鸡的屠宰性能并未产生显著影响;对42d肉鸡的屠宰率和半净膛率效果显著,试验组G屠宰率提高了3.94%（P〈0.05）,试验组E半净膛率提高了2.46%（P〈0.05）。肉鸡胸腺、脾脏、法氏囊器官指数有不同程度的提高,差异不显著。添加不同水平的纤维素酶能够显著提高1～21d和22～42d肉鸡血液内葡萄糖含量,试验组G提高了4.25%（P〈0.05）。添加不同水平的纤维素酶能够降低1～21d肉鸡血清内尿素氮水平,试验组G降低了6.14%（P〈0.05）。     

Combined effect of using near‐infrared spectroscopy for nutritional evaluation of feed ingredients and non‐starch polysaccharide carbohydrase complex on performance of broiler chickens

This study was carried out to evaluate the combined effect of using near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS ) for nutritional evaluation of feed ingredients and the addition of non‐starch polysaccharide carbohydrase complex (NSP enzymes) on the growth performance of broilers fed diets produced with low‐quality wheat and soybean meal. A 2 × 2 trial design was performed, with seven replicates of 40 male Ross 308 broilers per treatment, evaluating the effect of the addition of NSP enzymes and the ingredients’ nutritional matrix based on table values or NIRS values. Diets without added enzymes were formulated to reach nutritional requirements, whereas diets with enzymes were reformulated, reducing the apparent metabolizable energy (AME ) by 85 kcal/kg. In the overall period (days 0–35), broilers fed diets formulated using NIRS values had higher (P  < 0.001) average daily gain (+11.3%) and daily feed intake (+7.2%), and a lower (P  < 0.001) feed conversion ratio (?5.3%) compared to those fed diets formulated using table values. When formulating diets for broilers with low‐quality feed ingredients, performance can be improved by considering NIRS values and by the addition of NSP enzymes, even with a reduction of AME . These nutritional approaches are efficient in improving broilers’ performances by themselves and even more so when they are combined.     

生物秸秆对肉鸡表观代谢能的影响及替代玉米适宜比例的研究

本试验旨在研究肉鸡对生物秸秆的表观代谢能及其替代玉米的适宜比例.生物秸秆代谢能的测定试验选择24只42日龄健康的爱拔益加(AA)肉鸡,随机分为3个处理,每个处理8只鸡.处理1饲喂含8％生物秸秆的基础饲粮,处理2饲喂以30％的生物秸秆代替基础饲粮中能量饲料和蛋白质饲料的饲粮,处理3采用强饲法进行测定.生物秸秆代替玉米的试验选择150只42日龄健康的AA肉鸡,随机分为5个处理,每个处理5个重复,每个重复6只鸡.对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组分别在基础饲粮中用4％、8％、12％生物秸秆代替玉米(代谢能按照差量法计算结果12.46 MJ/kg计)及8％生物秸秆代替玉米(代谢能按照强饲法计算结果5.30 MJ/kg计,添加豆油,使其代谢能水平与对照组相同).结果表明:1)基础饲粮的代谢能为12.63 MJ/kg,采用差量法推算出肉鸡对生物秸秆的表观代谢能为12.46 MJ/kg,而采用套算法和强饲法测定生物秸秆的表观代谢能分别为4.38和5.30 MJ/kg.2)与对照组相比,4％和8％的生物秸秆代替玉米组中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维的代谢率显著升高(P＜0.05),而12％的生物秸秆代替玉米组表观能量的代谢率显著降低(P＜0.05).由此得出,套算法和强饲法低估了生物秸秆的表观代谢能,而差量法更能准确反映生物秸秆的表观代谢能;在肉鸡饲粮中生物秸秆可以替代4％ ～8％的玉米.     

Broiler response model to estimate the economic importance of dietary feed enzymes

The purposes of this research were: 1) a bio-assay to evaluate the effects of 2 feed enzymes (Hostazym X) and Avizyme 1505) on the performance of Cobb broilers; and 2) to calculate the economic value from the technical response data. A broiler response model that includes benefits from improved performance and incorporates the expected changes in output from Hostazym X and Avizyme 1505 is presented. Each of the 4 diets [1) Basal (corn, dried grains with solubles, and soybean meal based diet with 1,360 kcal/lb), 2) Basal+ Hostazym X, 3) Basal+ Avizyme 1505, 4) Basal+30 kcal/lb] was fed to 8 pens of 24 straight run Cobb chicks. Supplementing the basal diet with either enzyme showed significant effects on growth and feed efficiency. Quadratic equations were fitted through the response points for 49 d broilers: Body weights and feed intakes were: Basal, 6.085, 11.446; Basal+ Hostazym X, 6.231, 11.359; Basal+ Avizyme 1505, 6.165, 11.288; Basal+30 kcal, 6.455lb, 11.535 lb, respectively. Target live weights were compared at 4, 6 and 8 lb, chicken prices at $0.68 and $1.0/lb and feed costs at $200 and $400/ton. The value of feed savings by adding Hostazym X ranged from $6.92/ton for 4.0 lb broilers fed $200 feed, to $17.52/ton for 8.0 lb broilers fed $400 feed. The value of extra meat by adding Hostazym X ranged from $21.19/ton for 6.0 lb broilers selling for $0.68/lb, to $32.76/ton for 8.0 lb broilers selling for $1.0/lb. The value of feed savings by adding Avizyme 1505 ranged from $5.58/ton for 4.0 lb broilers fed $200 feed, to $12.09/ton for 8.0 lb broilers fed $400 feed. The value of extra meat from AZ1 ranged from $16.97/ton for 6.0 lb broilers selling for $0.68/lb, to $24.95/ton for 8.0 lb broilers selling for $1.0/lb. The value of the extra salable meat from feeding enzymes is 2 to 3 times greater than feed savings. Enzyme value is directly dependent on the costs of feed and meat value, and indirectly on reduced environmental costs for feed production and reduced unutilized nutrients (pollution) per lb of meat (not included in this analysis).     

日粮锌缺乏继发的生长限制对肉仔鸡维生素A代谢影响的研究

以玉米淀粉和低锌豆粕为主要原料构成含锌4．67mg／kg的半纯合低锌基础日粮，将150只1日龄艾维茵肉仔鸡随机分为3个自由采食组与2个限制采食组。其中．自由采食组日粮是在低锌基础日粮中分别添加0、5、80mg／kg的锌，各组的VA添加水平均为3000 IU／kg日粮。2个限制采食组的日粮锌添加水平为80mg／kg，其它营养成分及采食量控制到与相应的低锌组一致的水平。结果表明，日粮锌水平低于9．67mg／kg时，可引起肉仔鸡血清VA浓度的明显下降。日粮锌含量为4．67mg／kg时，血清VA浓度的下降既与缺锌本身有关，又与因缺锌继发的采食量下降有关；日粮锌含量为9．67mg／kg时，血清VA浓度的下降主要是由缺锌继发的采食量下降引起的。限制采食也可引起肉仔鸡血清VA浓度的下降，但对血清锌浓摩无明显的影响。     

Utilization of alternative protein meals with or without multiple-enzyme supplementation in broilers fed low-energy diets

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of different protein meals, with or without enzyme supplementation, on the performance of broilers. A diet based on a combination of protein meals (15% soybean meal, and 5% each of sunflower meal, canola meal, rapeseed meal, and cottonseed meal) was compared with 4 other diets containing 15% soybean meal and 20% of sunflower meal, canola meal, rapeseed meal, or cottonseed meal. Experimental diets were formulated to contain 2,630 kcal of ME/kg and 0.95% digestible lysine, with all other essential amino acids set to meet or exceed the ideal protein ratios. Each diet was fed with or without supplemental exogenous enzyme (Rovabio Excel at 500 g/metric ton of feed) to 6 replicate pens of 50 chicks from 1 to 35 d posthatch as coarse mash. In the cottonseed meal-based diet, supplemental enzyme resulted in high 35-d feed intake and FCR compared with the cottonseed meal-fed groups with no enzyme. There was a significant (P < 0.05) diet × enzyme interaction for 35-d feed intake and FCR. Birds fed the sunflower meal-based diet had significantly (P < 0.05) higher final BW gain and lower FCR as compared with those fed rapeseed meal- or cottonseed meal-based diets, whereas the BW gain of birds fed the rapeseed meal-based diet was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced compared with birds in all other groups. In conclusion, in low-ME broiler diets formulated on a digestible amino acid basis, up to 20% sunflower meal and canola meal can be safely incorporated into the diet. Supplementation of Rovabio failed to exert any positive effect on production parameters when used with diets containing high levels of each of the common protein meals.     

Sites of digestion in beef steers fed bermudagrass hay and supplemented with high-nitrogen feeds alone or mixed with tallow

Five crossbred beef steers (329 kg) were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square experiment with 14-d periods to determine the effects of supplementation with high-nitrogen (N) feeds alone or mixed with tallow on sites of digestion with a basal diet of bermudagrass hay. Hay was 1.93% nitrogen, 75% neutral detergent fibre and fed at 1.83% of body weight (dry matter; DM). Supplements were basal (B; 105 g DM): 81.8% dried molasses product (DMP) and 18.2% calcium carbonate (CC); soybean meal (S; 942 g DM): 88.0% soybean meal, 9.8% DMP and 2.2% CC; S mixed with 9.8% tallow (SF; 1041 g DM); corn gluten and blood meals (CB; 662 g DM): 62.5% corn gluten meal, 20.8% blood meal, 13.6% DMP and 3.0% CC; CB mixed with 13.2% tallow (CBF; 757 g DM). Total N intake was 117, 185, 187, 174 and 172 g/d, and duodenal N flow was 121, 148, 143, 162 and 169 g/d for B, S, SF, CB and CBF, respectively, being lower for B than for other treatments and higher for supplements with the corn gluten and blood meal mix than for soybean meal (P less than 0.05). Duodenal microbial N flow was 39, 51, 49, 38 and 45 g/d for B, S, SF, CB and CBF, respectively, being greater (P less than 0.05) for supplements with soybean meal than with corn gluten and blood meals. Duodenal flow of feed N was greater (P less than 0.05) with than without high-N feeds and for supplemental corn gluten and blood meals than for soybean meal (78, 90, 86, 117 and 116 g/d for B, S, SF, CB and CBF, respectively). In conclusion, mixing of tallow and high-N feeds did not affect the extent of ruminal N disappearance, and soybean meal supplementation increased duodenal N flow less than did supplementation with corn gluten and blood meals. Increased duodenal N flow with soybean meal was associated with about equal elevations of ruminal outflow of microbial and feed N, whereas the corn gluten-blood meal mix affected the intestinal protein supply by increasing ruminal escape of feed protein.     

The Effect of Levels of α-Galactosidase Enzyme on Performance of Broilers Fed Diets Based on Corn and Soybean Meal

A study was conducted with male chicks of a commercial broiler strain to evaluate the effects of different dosage levels of a commercial α-galactosidase enzyme. Diets were formulated based on corn and soybean meal to meet the nutrient standards of top poultry companies. The positive control diet was formulated with no adjustment in the ME content of the soybean meal associated with enzyme supplementation. The negative control diet was formulated assuming a 10% improvement in the ME of the soybean meal. The negative control diet was supplemented with 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, or 6.0 g of enzyme per kilogram of soybean meal to provide for 0, 45, 90, 135, or 180 galactosidase units (GALU)/kg of soybean meal. Each of the test diets was fed in mash form to 8 replicate pens of 30 birds. Body weight, feed efficiency, mortality, and calorie conversion were determined at 14, 35, and 42 d of age. Body weight, feed efficiency, and mortality were not significantly (P < 0.05) affected by dietary treatment. Birds fed the negative control with no enzyme supplement were numerically reduced in body weight or feed efficiency as compared with the control diet; however, addition of the enzyme was without benefit. When unadjusted energy values were analyzed, birds fed the negative control diet were more efficient in calorie conversion, but this finding was unrelated to enzyme addition, suggesting that diet composition was responsible for the differences in calorie utilization. When adjusted energy values were compared, birds fed the negative control tended to have higher (less efficient) calorie conversion than those fed the positive control with little or no indication of improvement from the addition of the α-galactosidase enzyme. Results of this study show no benefit from the addition of the enzyme used in this trial.     

Effect of enzyme preparation containing xylanase and beta-glucanase on performance of laying hens fed wheat/barley- or maize/soybean meal-based diets

1. A commercial enzyme preparation (Quatrazyme HP) containing xylanase and beta-glucanase was examined in two laying hen experiments with wheat/barley- or maize-based diets. The activities of other enzymes were measured also. Starch, cell wall contents and effects of Quatrazyme HP on in vitro viscosity of wheat, barley, maize and soybean meal were determined. 2. In the first experiment, 90 ISA Brown laying hens at 28 weeks of age were given a wheat/barley basal diet with or without 20mg of Quatrazyme HP, which provided 560 and 2,800 IU of xylanase and beta-glucanase/kg diet. In the second experiment, 66 ISA Brown laying hens at 45 weeks of age were given a maize/soybean meal basal diet with or without 20 mg of Quatrazyme HP/kg diet for 9 weeks. Egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion ratio and change in body weight were recorded as response criteria. 3. There was a significant improvement in feed conversion ratio with enzyme supplementation. Birds given an enzyme-supplemented diet gained 86 g while those fed on the unsupplemented diet lost 103 g of their body weight by the end of the experiment. 4. The enzyme preparation did not affect either egg production, egg weight or egg mass of birds fed on the maize/soybean meal diet. However, a significant improvement in feed conversion ratio was detected. Birds on either the supplemented or unsupplemented diet exhibited an increase in their body weight at the end of the experiment. 5. Addition of xylanase and beta-glucanase decreased in vitro viscosity of wheat, barley, maize and soybean meal. This effect was greater for wheat and barley than for maize and soybean meal. 6. It was concluded that the beneficial effect of using an enzyme preparation containing xylanase and beta-glucanase is not limited to wheat/barley-based diets but also occurs with maize/soybean meal-based diets.