Enzyme Complex Added to Broiler Diets: Effects on Performance, Metabolizable Energy Content, and Nitrogen and Phosphorus Balance

GBS Pessôa,WAG Araújo,V Ribeiro Junior,HS Rostagno,MI Hannas,DL Silva,LFT Albino

doi:10.1590/1806-9061-2015-0144

Abstract

Two trials were performed to evaluate the effects of an enzyme complex (EC) on broiler performance, metabolizable energy, and phosphorus and nitrogen balance. In the first trial, 960 one-day-old male Cobb broilers were randomly distributed in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement (three nutritional levels and the inclusion or not of EC), totaling six treatments with eight replicates of 20 birds per pen, and reared until 42 days of age. The control diet was formulated to meet the broilers' nutritional requirements. The other diets contained reduced available phosphorus (P), metabolizable energy, and amino acid levels, considering 100% and 150% of the EC nutritional matrix. The inclusion of the EC (200 g/ton) resulted in better broiler performance, improving weight gain in 4% and feed conversion ratio in 3% (p< 0.05). In the second trial, 240 male broilers were randomly distributed into the same treatments with eight replicates of five birds per cage. The method of total excreta collection was used. There was an interaction (p< 0.05) between diets and EC for P intake, nitrogen (N) intake, and N retention. The EC supplementation improved nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy values in 2.02% (p< 0.05). Significant effects were observed on phosphorus and nitrogen balance (p< 0.05). Phosphorus retention improved in 10.26%, nitrogen retention increased in 5.3%, while nitrogen excretion decreased in 3.3%. Based on the results of the present study, we recommend the addition of 200 g/t of the enzyme complex to broiler diets, considering nutrient reduction based on 100% of the EC nutritional matrix.

Highlights

Based on the results of the present study, we recommend the addition of 200 g/t of the enzyme complex to broiler diets, considering nutrient reduction based on 100% of the EC nutritional matrix
Poultry diets are commonly based on corn and soybean meal, and their energy can be fully utilized when exogenous enzymes are added to the feed (Campestrini et al, 2005)
Considering 100% of the nutritional matrix of the enzyme complex, the Negative Control 1 (NC1) diet was formulated reducing available phosphorus level in 0.10%, metabolizable energy content in 75.05 kcal/kg, and digestible amino acid content in 2% relative to the Positive Control (PC) diet

Summary

Introduction

Poultry diets are commonly based on corn and soybean meal, and their energy can be fully utilized when exogenous enzymes are added to the feed (Campestrini et al, 2005). Exogenous enzymes improve the nutrient and energy digestibility of feeds commonly offered to broilers (Yang et al, 2010; Hahn-Didde and Purdum, 2014). Enzymes breakdown plant cell walls, reduce feed viscosity, and breakdown proteins and antinutritional factors (Cowieson, 2010, Perazzo Costa et al, 2015). These benefits depend on the type of enzymes, and each performs a specific function (e.g., phytase, carbohydrases, and proteases). Previous studies reported improvements in weight gain, feed-togain ratio, and carcass traits of broilers supplemented with exogenous enzyme complexes (García et al, 2008; Boguhn and Rodehutscord, 2010; Farran et al, 2010; Campasino et al, 2015)

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Results