The Effect of β-Glucanase Supplementation, Stage of Ripeness, and Storage Treatment of Barley in Diets Fed to Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Carbohydrate composition of ethanol- and water extracts, extract viscosity, and β-glucan content of barley harvested at two stages of ripeness (early yellow ripeness, EYR, and combine ripeness, CR) subjected to two storage treatments have been investigated. The productive value of the barleys supplemented and unsupplemented with β-glucanase has been evaluated in a broiler experiment.Extract viscosity of barley, caused by soluble β-glucans, decreased with later stage of ripeness and by anaerobic storage treatment. The content of β-glucans increased with maturity indicating a lower solubility of the β-glucans. The β-glucan content was reduced by anaerobic storage of the CR barley. Carbohydrate analyses of ethanol-extracts revealed more reducing sugars in EYR barley while sucrose and raffinose was found in higher concentrations in CR barley. During anaerobic storage, sucrose and raffinose disappeared while fructose, galactose, and glucose increased.Anaerobic storage of moist barley and β-glucanase supplementation of the chicken diets improved feed consumption, weight gain, and feed conversion ratios significantly and also increased dry matter content of the excreta and improved cleanliness of the cages. No significant difference in the productive value of the β-glucanase supplemented diets, and those based on anaerobically stored barley was obtained. Enzyme supplementation to the diet in a dry preparation was slightly superior over adding β-glucanase through the drinking water.