Evolving enzyme technology: impact on commercial poultry nutrition

Abstract

The use of exogenous enzymes to improve the nutritional value of poultry diets is a relatively new concept. The technology is rapidly evolving, with new enzymes, enzyme combinations, and novel applications being developed as rapidly as regulatory restrictions will allow. Most researchers in the field of poultry nutrition would consider phytase to be the last significant leap forward in terms of enzyme use in the animal feed industry. However, there is a great deal of ongoing research into the next generation of enzymes with a focus on ingredient quality, predictability of response via least-square models, improvements in food safety, effect of bird age, effect of various side activities and enzyme dose, maximisation of net income and reduction in environmental pollution. It is the purpose of the present review article to summarise the current research in the area of feed enzymes for poultry and to speculate on future applications of enzymes and new enzyme technologies that may be of value to the industry in the coming years.

Effects of two native Iranian wheat cultivars, processing method, and enzyme supplementation on performance, carcass, intestinal morphology, and microbiota activity in broiler chickens

“…In this regard, it is reported that enzyme supplementation increased intestinal morphology traits such as crypt depth and villus height in broilers (Viveros et al 1994). In contrast to these results, Cowieson et al (2006) indicated that enzyme addition had no overall effect on the gut morphology of growing broiler chicks. Poorer gut health in high NSP diets may arise from the alteration of the intestinal morphology in birds receiving a high NSP feed (Adeola & Cowieson 2011).…”

“…In addition to the decrease in ileal viscosity, the mode of action of xylanase is explained by a reduced microbial activity in terms of shortchain fatty acids (SCFA) concentration (Józefiak et al 2007). On the other hand, two main modes of actions for xylanase in wheat-based diets, including the viscosity theory and the socalled cage effect, were reported (Cowieson et al 2006). The viscosity theory is associated with a reduction in viscosity with exogenous enzymes, which improved nutrient digestibility, while the cage effect theory is related to the effects of carbohydrases on cell walls, reducing their integrity and then releasing nutrients that were encapsulated (Bedford 2002).…”

“…In particular, the presence of viscous polysaccharides has been found to increase intestinal microbial activity associated with poor broiler growth performance (Józefiak et al 2007). It is likely that both mechanisms are involved in the responses to xylanase in broiler diets, leading to desirable changes in the microbial population in the distal gastrointestinal tract, a reduction in viscosity, and beneficial changes in nutrient retention and growth performance (Cowieson et al 2006). It is found that the degradation products of sugars, such as xylose and xylo-oligomers, are fermented by caecal bacteria, thus stimulating the production of SCFA and the growth of specific beneficial bacteria (Bedford 2002).…”

Bacteriophages of Clostridium perfringens

“…Many enzymes are added to monogastric animal feeds to increase the digestibility of nutrients, leading to greater feed efficiency during the production of meat animals and eggs. Enzymes are added to monogastric animal feed for digesting carbohydrates and for metabolizing phytate to produce free phosphorus (Cowieson et al, 2006;Olukosi et al, 2010). …”

Evaluation of Phytate-Degrading Lactobacillus Culture Administration to Broiler Chickens

“…Phosphorus is an essential nutrient in poultry production (14), with dietary deficiencies leading to excessive financial losses due to increased mortality (15,16). Phytic acid (myo-inositol hexaphosphate) is an important plant phosphorus storage form and accounts for 50 to 80% of total phosphorus present in cereal grains and legumes commonly used in livestock animal feeds (17,18).…”