High Non-starch Polysaccharides Research Articles

Feasibility insights into the application of Paenibacillus pabuli E1 in animal feed to eliminate non-starch polysaccharides.

The goal of the research was to find alternative protein sources for animal farming that are efficient and cost-effective. The researchers focused on distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a co-product of bioethanol production that is rich in protein but limited in its use as a feed ingredient due to its high non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) content, particularly for monogastric animals. The analysis of the Paenibacillus pabuli E1 genome revealed the presence of 372 genes related to Carbohydrate-Active enzymes (CAZymes), with 98 of them associated with NSPs degrading enzymes that target cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin. Additionally, although lignin is not an NSP, two lignin-degrading enzymes were also examined because the presence of lignin alongside NSPs can hinder the catalytic effect of enzymes on NSPs. To confirm the catalytic ability of the degrading enzymes, an in vitro enzyme activity assay was conducted. The results demonstrated that the endoglucanase activity reached 5.37 U/mL, while beta-glucosidase activity was 4.60 U/mL. The filter paper experiments did not detect any reducing sugars. The xylanase and beta-xylosidase activities were measured at 11.05 and 4.16 U/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the pectate lyase and pectin lyase activities were found to be 8.19 and 2.43 U/mL, respectively. The activities of laccase and MnP were determined as 1.87 and 4.30 U/mL, respectively. The researchers also investigated the effect of P. pabuli E1 on the degradation of NSPs through the solid-state fermentation of DDGS. After 240 h of fermentation, the results showed degradation rates of 11.86% for hemicellulose, 11.53% for cellulose, and 8.78% for lignin. Moreover, the crude protein (CP) content of DDGS increased from 26.59% to 30.59%. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that P. pabuli E1 possesses various potential NSPs degrading enzymes that can effectively eliminate NSPs in feed. This process improves the quality and availability of the feed, which is important for animal farming as it seeks alternative protein sources to replace traditional nutrients.

High dietary non-starch polysaccharides detrimental to nutrient digestibility, digestive enzyme activity, growth performance, and intestinal morphology in largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides.

An 8-weeks feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the effects of different levels of dietary non-starch polysaccharide on the growth, apparent nutrient digestibility, intestinal development, and morphology of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Seven isoproteic and isolipidic experimental diets were formulated (crude protein 47.00%, crude lipid 12.50%), containing 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18% non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) (named Control, NSPs3, NSPs6, NSPs9, NSPs12, NSPs15, and NSPs18), respectively. Dietary inclusion of NSPs below 9% showed no negative impacts on fish growth and feed utilization efficiency, whereas dietary NSPs inclusion level above 9% decreased weight gain rate, specific growth rate, protein efficiency, protein deposition rate, apparent digestibility of dry matter and protein, and were accompanied by a reduction in intestinal protease, Na+/K+-ATPase and alkaline phosphatase activity and an increase in feed intake and feed coefficient. The activity of lipase was significantly decreased when dietary inclusion of 15 and 18% NSPs. Moreover, the lipid deposition rate and the apparent digestibility of lipids were significantly decreased since dietary inclusion of 9% NSPs. Dietary inclusion of NSPs above 12% significantly up-regulated intestinal GLP-2 gene's expression, and was accompanied by significant changes in hindgut morphology, including increases in villus length and width, muscularis thickness and number of goblet cell, as well as a decrease in crypt depth. Additionally, dietary inclusion of NSPs above 3% significantly increased intestinal length index, and the viserosomatic index was significantly increased when dietary NSPs exceeded 15%. The linear regression analysis based on weight gain rate and feed coefficient showed that the appropriate dietary NSPs level of juvenile largemouth bass should not above 5.51%. In conclusion, high dietary NSPs adversely affects digestive enzyme activity and intestinal morphology, which in turn reduced the apparent digestibility of dietary nutrients and growth of juvenile largemouth bass.

Selection of barley varieties with increased non‐starch polysaccharides using chemometric methods for their bread‐making potential

This study aimed to check the bread-making potential of indigenous barley varieties comprising high non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs). For this purpose, all the available barley varieties in four provinces of Pakistan were characterized for their β-glucan and total arabinoxylan content. Barley varieties with increased NSPs were selected (one variety from each province) using chemometric methods. The selected varieties were used in the development of wheat barley composite flour bread. Total arabinoxylans and β-glucan content in Pakistani barley varieties ranged between 3.89 ± 0.085% to 6.23 ± 0.155% and 2.65 ± 0.053% to 6.97 ± 0.191%, respectively. Based upon chemometric characterization four best varieties (one best variety from each province) were selected for bread preparation. Rakhshan-10 (from Balochistan) and Jau-e-Paghmbari (from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) were identified as the top varieties with the highest NSPs. Among varieties procured from Punjab and Sindh province; Sultan-17 and Sadabahar comprised the highest NSPs. Different treatment combinations of wheat barley composite flour were made by replacing wheat flour with barley flour up to 30%. The prepared breads were evaluated for their physico-chemical and sensory attributes. An increasing percentage of barley flour in wheat flour significantly increased crude protein, crude fiber, and NSPs. Barley varieties Sultan-17 and Sadabahar did not have a significant influence on sensory attributes of bread up to 20% however, Rakhshan-10 and Jau-e-Paghmbari had a significant effect, particularly on the color of crumb, texture, and loaf volume. Novelty impact statement This study investigates the bread-making characteristics of barley varieties with different concentrations of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) and showed a good potential for developing fiber-enriched bread using barley varieties comprising high NSPs. However, the bread recipe needs to be optimized concerning the concentration of barley flour as well as sensory characteristics. The findings of this preliminary study will help food industries to distinguish different indigenous barley varieties to get good quality end products with increased nutritional value.

Effects of dietary non-starch polysaccharides level on the growth, intestinal flora and intestinal health of juvenile largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides

A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary non-starch polysaccharide (NSPs) inclusion on the growth performance, intestinal flora and intestinal health of juvenile largemouth bass (6.00 ± 0.01 g) in quadruplicate. Seven isoproteic and isolipidic diets (crude protein 47.0%, crude lipid 12.5%) were formulated to contain 0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, 15% and 18% NSPs (each 100 g contains 32.26 g cellulose, 19.35 g arabinoxylan, 4.52 g β-glucan, 5.16 g mannan and 38.71 g pectin; named N0, N3, N6, N9, N12, N15 and N18), respectively. Weight gain rate, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, protein and lipid deposition rate in the N12, N15 and N18 groups were significantly lower than in the N0 group. Plasma diamine oxidase activity and lipopolysaccharide and endothelin-1 concentration in the N15 and N18 groups were significantly higher than in the N0 group. Intestinal occludin, caludin-1, caludin-4, zonulaoccludens-1, interleukin-10, transforming growth factor-β, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), B-cell lymphoma-xl and Bcl-2-associated athanogene expression levels and intestinal peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in the N15 and N18 groups were significantly lower than in the N0 group, while interleukin-8, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1, caspase3, Bcl-2-assoxicated x protein and Bcl-2-associated death protein genes expression levels showed opposite trends. Moreover, the Shannon, Simpson, Chao and Ace indices and the abundance of Plesiomonas shigelloides, [Clostridium] dakarense and Romboutsia ilealis in the N18 group were significantly lower than in the N0 group, in contrast to the abundance of Paraclostridium bifermentans, Mycoplasma moatsii. Propionate, butyrate, valerate and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) contents in digesta of the N6 group were significantly higher than in the N0 group, while acetate, butyrate, valerate, caproate and total SCFA in digesta of the N18 group were significantly lower than in the N0 group. Results suggest that high NSPs diets increased intestinal permeability and abundance of pathogenic microorganisms, induced intestinal inflammation and intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis, but decreased intestinal flora α-diversity and SCFA contents, and ultimately impaired growth performance and intestinal health of juvenile largemouth bass. Conversely, low-dose NSPs inclusion had no negative effect on growth and improves intestinal health in juvenile largemouth bass, showing potential as prebiotics in aquafeed.

Whole-Genome Sequence and Interaction Analysis in the Production of Six Enzymes From the Three Bacillus Strains Present in a Commercial Direct-Fed Microbial (Norum™) Using a Bliss Independence Test.

The three Bacillus strains present in Norum™ were initially selected by their excellent to good relative enzyme activity (REA) production score for amylase, protease, lipase, phytase, cellulase, β-glucanase, and xylanase. Further studies confirmed that the three isolates also showed an antibacterial activity, Gram-positive and Gram-negative poultry pathogens. Norum™ (Eco-Bio/Euxxis Bioscience LLC) is a Bacillus spore direct-fed microbial (DFM). The Bacillus isolates were screened and selected based on in vitro enzyme production profiles. Moreover, in chickens fed high non-starch polysaccharides, this DFM demonstrated to reduce digesta viscosity, bacterial translocation, increase performance, bone mineralization, and balance the intestinal microbiota. In the present study, we present the whole-genome sequence of each of the three isolates in Norum™, as well as the synergistic, additive, or antagonistic effects on the enzyme production behavior of the three Bacillus strains and their combinations when grown together vs. when grown individually. The whole-genome sequence identified isolate AM1002 as Bacillus subtilis (isolate 1), isolate AM0938 as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (isolate 2), and isolate JD17 as Bacillus licheniformis (isolate 3). The three Bacillus isolates used in the present study produce different enzymes (xylanase, cellulase, phytase, lipase, protease, and β-glucanase). However, this production was modified when two or more Bacillus strains were combined, suggesting possible synergistic, antagonistic, or additive interactions. The Bliss analysis suggested (p < 0.05) that the combination of Bacillus strains 1–2 and 1–2–3 had intermediate effects and predicted that the combination of Bacillus strains 2–3 could have better effects than the combination of all the three Bacillus strains. In summary, the current study demonstrated the need of selecting Bacillus strains based on quantitative enzyme determination and data analysis to assess the impacts of combinations to avoid antagonistic interactions that could limit treatment efficacy. These results suggest that using Bacillus strains 2–3 together could lead to a new generation of DFMs with effects superior to those already examined in Bacillus strains 1–2–3 and, therefore, a potential alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics. More research utilizing poultry models is being considered to confirm and expand the existing findings.

Responses of Broiler Chickens Fed Low or High Non-Starch Polysaccharide Diets and the Addition of Humic Substances from a Worm Compost

The objective was to evaluate the productivity, microbiology and histopathology of the jejunum, ceca and liver in broilers fed a control or a high non-starch polysaccharide (HNSPs) diet added with an extract of humic substances (EHS). 240 broilers individually allocated, from 21-42 d of age were assigned to a factorial arrangement of 2 types of diets: 1) A corn/soybean meal diet (Control) and 2) As Control plus 7% distillers dried grain with solubles and 12% of wheat bran (HNSPs), and 3 growth promoters: 1) Antibiotic growth promoters (AGP); 2) without AGP (NAGP) and C) with 0.5% of EHS. At the end of the trial, the breast and carcass were weighed and samples of the intestine, ceca and liver were taken for microbial and histopathology analysis. Results were subjected to ANOVA. EHS-fed broilers had lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) and total aerobic bacterial (TAB) counts in the liver and higher ashes digestibility with the Control diet, but negative responses were seen with the HNSPs diet (Type of diet and growth promoter interaction, p≤0.05). The lesion scores in the jejunum were lower in EHS-fed broilers with the Control and HNSPs diet (p≤0.05). The TAB and E. coli were lower in the jejunum and ceca of AGP-fed broilers (p<0.01) compared to NAGP and EHS groups. EHS-fed broilers showed improved FCR and ileal ashes digestibility and lower TAB in the liver with the Control diet and had lower lesion score in the jejunum and similar weight gain compared to the AGP-fed broilers.

Novel Models for Chronic Intestinal Inflammation in Chickens: Intestinal Inflammation Pattern and Biomarkers.

For poultry producers, chronic low-grade intestinal inflammation has a negative impact on productivity by impairing nutrient absorption and allocation of nutrients for growth. Understanding the triggers of chronic intestinal inflammation and developing a non-invasive measurement is crucial to managing gut health in poultry. In this study, we developed two novel models of low-grade chronic intestinal inflammation in broiler chickens: a chemical model using dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and a dietary model using a high non-starch polysaccharide diet (NSP). Further, we evaluated the potential of several proteins as biomarkers of gut inflammation. For these experiments, the chemical induction of inflammation consisted of two 5-day cycles of oral gavage of either 0.25mg DSS/ml or 0.35mg DSS/ml; whereas the NSP diet (30% rice bran) was fed throughout the experiment. At four times (14, 22, 28 and 36-d post-hatch), necropsies were performed to collect intestinal samples for histology, and feces and serum for biomarkers quantification. Neither DSS nor NSP treatments affected feed intake or livability. NSP-fed birds exhibited intestinal inflammation through 14-d, which stabilized by 36-d. On the other hand, the cyclic DSS-treatment produced inflammation throughout the entire experimental period. Histological examination of the intestine revealed that the inflammation induced by both models exhibited similar spatial and temporal patterns with the duodenum and jejunum affected early (at 14-d) whereas the ileum was compromised by 28-d. Calprotectin (CALP) was the only serum protein found to be increased due to inflammation. However, fecal CALP and Lipocalin-2 (LCN-2) concentrations were significantly greater in the induced inflammation groups at 28-d. This experiment demonstrated for the first time, two in vivo models of chronic gut inflammation in chickens, a DSS and a nutritional NSP protocols. Based on these models we observed that intestinal inflammation begins in the upper segments of small intestine and moved to the lower region over time. In the searching for a fecal biomarker for intestinal inflammation, LCN-2 showed promising results. More importantly, calprotectin has a great potential as a novel biomarker for poultry measured both in serum and feces.

Nutrition al manipulation of feeding behaviour of birds

A research to manipulate the feeding behaviour of laying hens from nutritional perspective was conducted with 504 ISA Brown. Seventeen (17) week old ISA brown with weights ranging between 1590 and 1812 g were allocated to six dietary treatments. There were seven replicates per treatment with 12 birds each making a total of 42 pens in all. Experimental diets differed in the levels of energy, levels insoluble Non Starch Polysaccharide (NSP) and the particle sizes of the NSP. Birds had free access to water and feed during which feeding observations with video cameras were made to observe and record the feeding behaviour of birds at 17, 21, 25, 29, 33 and 35 weeks of age. A computer software programme called Observer 5.0 was used to analyze the observations by one person for 30 minutes per cage. In order to gain more insight in the feeding behaviour of laying hens, 60 laying hens were used for a passage rate experiment using titanium dioxide as an inert marker: Five birds were used for each dietary treatment, and replicated twice. At t=0, three titanium capsules were offered to each bird. After five different time points (30, 90, 180, 270 and 360 minutes), these birds were sacrificed and dissected. The gut (titanium) contents from different segments of the GIT (crop, gizzard, ileum, colon and caeca) of each bird were analysed using spectrophotometer at an absorbance of 408 nm. Results from the study indicate that the feeding behaviour of laying hen can be manipulated nutritionally. Bulky diets (10.6 MJ/kg) significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased the eating time of laying hens by 15% compared with normal energy content (11.8 MJ/kg) and this led to consumption of more feed (average 2355g) than those of normal energy diets (2175g). Similarly, the separate effect of NSP, NSP coarseness and interaction between low energy; NSP and NSP coarseness influenced the eating behaviour. Feeding layers with low density diet containing a combination of low energy high NSP coarse NSP increased the amount of time birds spent feeding by 32% and consequently increased the feed intake by 11% (average feed intake of 135g ) above normal energy low NSP mixture diet (average feed intake of 120g). The passage rate experiment showed that Low energy High non starch polysaccharide coarse (LeHnspcoarse) diet reduces the gut transit time, thus birds quickly feel hungrier after a period of satiety, possibly resulting in a short inter-meal interval. Conclusively, the interaction between low energy, high NSP and NSP coarseness influence birds' feeding behaviour necessitating increase in eating time and faster passage rate via the GIT&#x0D;

Gut microbiota dynamics in carnivorous European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fed plant-based diets

A healthy gastrointestinal microbiota is essential for host fitness, and strongly modulated by host diet. In aquaculture, a current challenge is to feed carnivorous fish with plant-feedstuffs in substitution of fish meal, an unsustainable commodity. Plants have a limited nutritive value due to the presence of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) which are not metabolized by fish. In this work we assessed the effects of NSP-enriched diets on European seabass gut microbiota and evaluate the selective pressure of plant feedstuffs towards gut microbes with NSP-hydrolytic potential, i.e. capable to convert indigestible dietary constituents in fish metabolites. Triplicate groups of European seabass juveniles were fed a fish meal-based diet (control) or three plant-based diets (SBM, soybean meal; RSM, rapeseed meal; SFM, sunflower meal) for 6 weeks, before recovering intestinal samples for microbiota analysis, using the Illumina’s MiSeq platform. Plant-based diets impacted differently digesta and mucosal microbiota. A decrease (p = 0.020) on species richness, accompanied by a decline on the relative abundance of specific phyla such as Acidobacteria (p = 0.030), was observed in digesta samples of SBM and RSM experimental fish, but no effects were seen in mucosa-associated microbiota. Plant-based diets favored the Firmicutes (p = 0.01), in particular the Bacillaceae (p = 0.017) and Clostridiaceae (p = 0.007), two bacterial families known to harbor carbohydrate active enzymes and thus putatively more prone to grow in high NSP environments. Overall, bacterial gut communities of European seabass respond to plant-feedstuffs with adjustments in the presence of transient microorganisms (allochthonous) with carbohydrolytic potential, while maintaining a balanced core (autochthonous) microbiota.

Effect of cereal type and plant extract addition on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, caecal microflora, and gut barriers gene expression of broiler chickens

Feeding broiler chickens on diets based on cereal grains of high non-starch polysaccharides content such as wheat and barley can negatively impact their performance and gut health. Plant extracts can be used as a potential tool to alleviate these negative effects. The present study assessed the effects of dietary cereal type and the inclusion of a plant extract blend (PEB) on the growth performance, intestinal histomorphology, caecal microflora, and gene expression of selected biomarkers for gut integrity in broiler chickens in a 42-d experiment. Ross-308 male broilers were assigned into different dietary treatments and fed on two cereal types (corn- vs. wheat/barley-based) with/without added graded concentrations of a PEB (0, 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg diet). There were no significant differences in the growth performance parameters, intestinal histomorphology, and caecal microflora due to the impact of dietary cereal type. However, lactobacilli count in the caecal microflora was increased in the group fed on a corn-based diet. The PEB supplementation especially at a level of 500 to 1000 mg/kg diet significantly increased the average BW and decreased the feed conversion ratio. It also increased the villi length of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, decreased the duodenal crypt depth, and increased the villi length to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Supplementation of the PEB decreased the total bacterial and coliform count and increased the lactobacilli count in a linear pattern. Gene expression of Occludin and Junction Adhesion Molecule was significantly increased in the PEB supplemented diets, whereby no influence was observed on mucin expression. In conclusion, supplementation of a PEB at levels of 500–1000 mg/kg can be used as a tool to improve broiler performance and gut health.

Multi-carbohydrase effects on energy utilization depend on soluble non-starch polysaccharides-to-total non-starch polysaccharides in broiler diets

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), especially in water-soluble form, are a common anti-nutritional factor in cereal-based poultry diets. Consequently, carbohydrases are applied to diets to combat the negative effects of NSP on bird performance and health, particularly when feeding viscous grains. This study investigated the effect of supplementing multi-carbohydrases (MC) to broiler diets containing either low (LS) or high (HS) soluble NSP (sNSP) to total NSP (tNSP) ratios on energy partitioning, nitrogen (N) balance, and performance. A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments (MC, no or yes; sNSP/tNSP, LS vs. HS) was applied, resulting in 4 dietary treatments, each replicated 8 times. These treatments were fed to Ross 308 broilers in closed-circuit indirect calorimetry chambers, with 2 birds (a male and a female) per replicate chamber (n = 64). The results showed that MC addition increased AME, net energy (NE), and AME/gross energy, regardless of sNSP/tNSP content (P < 0.01 for all). There was an MC × sNSP/tNSP interaction for feed intake (FI, P < 0.05), denoting that in the absence of MC, the HS-fed birds had lower FI than LS-fed birds, but this difference was eliminated when MC was present. There were MC × sNSP/tNSP interactions observed for AME intake (AMEi) per metabolic BW (BW0.70, P < 0.05), AMEi/N retention (Nr, P < 0.01), NE intake (NEi)/Nr (P < 0.05), retained energy (RE) as fat per total RE (REf/RE, P < 0.01), and N efficiency (Nr/N intake, P < 0.05). These interactions showed that MC application increased AMEi/BW0.70, AMEi/Nr, NEi/Nr, and REf/RE only in the HS-fed birds, and N efficiency only in the LS-fed broilers. This study demonstrated that MC application markedly increased feed energy utilization in all diets, and increased N efficiency in birds fed an LS diet.

Effect of Bacillus–direct-fed microbial on leaky gut, serum peptide YY concentration, bone mineralization, and ammonia excretion in neonatal female turkey poults fed with a rye-based diet

Rye is high in nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP), a complex carbohydrate which cannot be digested by poultry as they lack the endogenous enzymes to do so. Exogenous carbohydrases must therefore be supplemented to avoid the antinutritional effects associated with a high NSP diet. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of a rye-based diet with and without supplementation of a Bacillus direct-fed microbial (DFM) on body weight, bone mineralization, and leaky gut, as well as its role on influencing serum concentrations of peptide YY (PPY) and the ammonia concentration in turkey manure. Two independent trials were conducted. In each experiment, day-of-hatch female turkey poults were neck tagged and randomly assigned to either a control rye-based diet or a rye-based diet supplemented with the DFM (n = 25 birds/group). At 10 days-of-age, poults in both groups were administered with an appropriate dose of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-d) by oral gavage. One hour later, all poults were euthanized. Blood was collected to evaluate serum FITC-d and PPY concentrations. Furthermore, in Trial 2 only, both tibias were removed for assessment of bone parameters, and turkey manure was collected to evaluate physicochemical analysis. In both trials, poults treated with the DFM showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in body weight and body weight gain as compared with control nontreated poults. Poults that received the DFM also had a significant reduction in serum levels of PPY and FITC-d when compared with control nontreated poults. In Trial 2, turkeys treated with the DFM had a substantial increase in tibia strength, tibia diameter, total ash, calcium, and phosphorus when compared with control nontreated turkeys. Their manure was also shown to have a significant reduction in the concentration of ammonia. This is the first report of a commercial DFM reducing the concentration of this compound in turkey manure. In summary, the results of the present study confirm that turkeys fed with a rye-based diet have a significant increase in gut permeability, a reduced body weight, and decreased bone mineralization when compared with turkeys fed with the DFM. Turkeys that received the rye-based diet supplemented with the Bacillus-DFM also had a significant reduction in the serum concentration of PPY when compared with control turkeys. This finding suggests a possible prebiotic effect of rye, warranting future studies to test this effect. Further studies to evaluate the microbiota diversity, as well as the concentration of ceca short-chain fatty acids, are also necessary to confirm the reliability of PPY as a potential metabolomic biomarker in poultry.

Evaluation of seaweeds from marine waters in Northwestern Europe for application in animal nutrition

The increasing demand for animal protein by the growing world population intensifies the exploration of novel feed sources. This study evaluated the nutritional value of six intact seaweed species (i.e. the brown species Saccharina latissima, Laminaria digitata, and Ascophyllum nodossum, the red species Palmaria palmata, and Chondrus crispus and green species Ulva lactuca), collected from the coast of Ireland, Scotland and France as an ingredient for animal feed. The nutrient composition, in vitro digestibility, and in vitro gas production simulating rumen fermentation, were determined.The nutrient contents (g/kg dry matter), both between and within species, were highly variable, ranging from 45–248 for crude protein, 351–691 for non-starch polysaccharides, and 173–445 for ash. Overall, the brown seaweeds had the highest non-starch polysaccharides content, whereas samples of the red and green seaweeds had an amino acid content up to 265 g/kg dry matter. All samples had a substantial non-protein nitrogen fraction, varying from 0.12–0.29 of nitrogen. The fibre fractions of brown seaweeds showed different properties than land-based plants, as illustrated by a lower analysed neutral detergent fibre than acid detergent fibre content. The ileal organic matter and nitrogen digestibility, as well as the total tract organic matter digestibility (mean digestibility coefficients: 0.81, 0.89 and 0.88, respectively) were lower for all seaweeds compared to soybean meal (digestibility coefficients: 0.84, 0.98 and 0.97, respectively). S. latissima, L digitata, P. palmata and U. lactuca had a higher maximum gas production than alfalfa, but lower than sugar beet pulp. Based on the protein content and amino acid-pattern, intact P. palmata and U. lactuca would be a valuable protein source for farm animals, with the high non-starch polysaccharides and non-protein nitrogen contents and a low in vitro digestibility potentially limiting their use as a feed ingredient for monogastric species. The fermentability of L. digitata, S. latissima and P. palmata indicate that these intact seaweeds may have a higher nutritional value in ruminants. The high ash content in all seaweed species hampers the use of intact seaweed for both ruminants and monogastrics. Extraction of protein and other favourable components, while reducing the ash content, seems an important step towards seaweed inclusion in animal diets. Further identification and characterisation of seaweed polysaccharides is required to understand and improve the digestibility of seaweed fractions.

77 Performance of growing pigs fed wheat-based diets containing wheat millrun and a multi-carbohydrase enzyme

Abstract The inclusion of wheat millrun, a low-cost milling co-product, into swine rations is limited by high non-starch polysaccharide content. The objective of these trials was to determine the response of growing pigs to wheat millrun inclusion, with or without, a multi-carbohydrase enzyme (xylanase, cellulase, amylase, glucanase, invertase). In Exp1, the effects of millrun inclusion and multi-carbohydrase on nutrient digestibility were investigated. The six treatments, arranged as a 3x2 factorial, included millrun (0, 15 or 30%) and enzymes (0 or 1 mg/kg) as main effects. Barrows (n = 48; 60.2±2.2 kg) were housed individually and fed 3×maintenance for 11d. Feces and urine were collected d8-11. In Exp2, 4 treatments (0 or 30% millrun and 0 or 1 mg/kg enzyme; 2x2 factorial) were fed to 180 pigs (60.2±2.2 kg) housed in groups of 5 until they reached 125 kg BW. The diets were isonitrogenous while energy was reduced in the millrun diets. In Exp1, apparent total-tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy and N, and digestible energy (DE) content, declined linearly (87.3 to 81.5%; 86.3 to 83.5%; 3.86 to 3.68 Mcal DE/kg DM, respectively; P &amp;lt; 0.01) with increasing millrun inclusion. ATTD of energy was reduced by the inclusion of the enzymes (85.0 to 84.2%; P = 0.05) but there was no effect on DE content, or N ATTD (P &amp;gt; 0.10). In Exp2, ADG and G:F were reduced in pigs fed millrun (P &amp;lt; 0.05) while pigs fed diets supplemented with enzymes had reduced G:F during the initial 14d. There was no effect of millrun or enzyme on ADFI or days to market (P &amp;gt; 0.10). No interactions were detected between millrun and enzyme in either Exp1 or Exp2 (P &amp;gt; 0.10). In conclusion, reduced ADG and energy and N digestibility, were observed with the inclusion of 30% wheat millrun in diets for growing pigs, regardless of multi-carbohydrase enzyme inclusion.

Viscosity and growth response of broilers fed high fiber diets supplemented with a corn-produced recombinant carbohydrase

SUMMARY Feed ingredients containing high levels of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), such as wheat and corn distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS), can form viscous digesta in the gastrointestinal tract, limiting broiler performance. A study was conducted to determine efficacy of a corn-produced recombinant carbohydrase (AC1) on dietary and intestinal viscosity and broiler performance with a high NSP diet. Hubbard × Ross 708, a day old, male broiler chicks (n = 960) were fed 1 of 8 dietary treatments for 21 d. Diets included a corn–soybean meal based diet (PC_1) and a diet of similar essential nutrient density, but with a 10% inclusion of both wheat and DDGS (PC_2) and a negative control (NC) with similar ingredients as PC_2, but with ME reduced by 125 kcal/kg. Additional treatments had varying levels of AC1, supplying 50, 100, 200, 400, or 600 U β-Glucanase (β-Glu-U) per kg of feed, mixed into the NC diet. Dietary and digesta (d14) viscosity and weekly bird performance were measured. The inclusion of wheat and DDGS increased d1–7 feed conversion ratio (FCR) and supplementing AC1 at 50–400 β-Glu-U/kg reduced FCR equivalent to PC_1. Intestinal viscosity correlated with d1–21 FCR and inversely correlated with d1–21 live weight gain (LWG). When analyzed categorically, dietary viscosity inversely correlated with d1–21 LWG (P

Effects of Different Papua New Guinea Sweetpotato Varieties on Performance and Level of Enteric Pathogens in Chickens.

Simple SummaryThe smallholder poultry industry in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has grown rapidly in the last decade. The cost of growing meat birds is high, as feed alone makes up to 80% of the total cost of production in PNG. Sweetpotato is currently used in a poultry feed as a cheaper alternative option compared to the more expensive commercially manufactured stockfeed in PNG. The PNG smallholder poultry production system involves many families who rear multiple batches of meat birds every year. These birds are sold mostly at the farm gate, at local provincial markets, or roadside markets. Consumption of contaminated chicken meat has been identified as one of the important food vehicles for food borne illness. This PNG-based study was conducted to understand whether the inclusion of local sweetpotato in poultry feed can influence the shedding of pathogens such as Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella and Campylobacter without causing negative effects on poultry performance. The results of this study releveled that Campylobacter and Salmonella levels in the broilers fed with the local sweetpotato diets can be influenced with inclusion of enzymes in the feed. In the last decade, research has targeted the evaluation of local feed ingredients for use in monogastric diets to alleviate the high cost of production of livestock at smallholder levels in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The PNG smallholder poultry production system involves many families who rear multiple batches of meat birds every year. This study was conducted to evaluate the levels of enteric pathogens in the caeca of broilers fed with sweetpotato diets with varying levels of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). Selection of a sweetpotato variety for use in broiler diets should be based on the total NSP content. In particular, varieties with low soluble NSPs are economical to use as Apparent Metabolizable Energy (AME) values are within the desired range for poultry and there is minimal need to include enzymes to improve NSP digestibility. The use of varieties with a low total NSP is also advantageous as the numbers of Clostridium perfringens was lower in broilers fed with these sweetpotato varieties. The level of Campylobacter and Salmonella levels were high in the ceca of birds fed with the sweetpotato varieties with high total NSP. These levels can be reduced with the inclusion of enzymes. This information will assist in the efficient use of local varieties of sweetpotato in PNG by small holder poultry farmers for sustainable poultry production and the commercial industry.

The Effect of Corn-Expressed Carbohydrase on Performance and Digesta Viscosity of Broilers Fed a High Non-Starch Polysaccharide Diet

SUMMARY Study objectives were to determine the effects of a corn-expressed recombinant carbohydrase (AC1) on broiler performance and digesta viscosity in high non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) diets through 21 d of age. One day-old Hubbard × Cobb 500 chicks were assigned to 6 dietary treatments. Each treatment consisted of 12 replicate pens of 10 birds. The positive control diet (PC) was a corn and soybean meal formulation. The negative control diet (NC) included 10% wheat and 10% corn distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS). The NC contained 100 kcal/kg less ME than the PC. Increasing inclusions of AC1 were applied to the NC to contain 50, 100, 200, and 400 U β-glucanase (β-Glu-U) per kg of feed. Preliminary experiments demonstrated AC1 homogeneity and stability post pelleting. Live weight gain (LWG) was the highest for PC fed birds from 1 to 14 d; however, birds fed NC with 400 β-Glu-U/kg had similar LWG as PC (P > 0.05). Day 1 to 21 FCR was lowest for PC fed birds; however, birds fed NC with 400 β-Glu-U/kg had similar FCR as PC (P > 0.05). Birds fed NC had lower LWG and higher viscosity than birds fed PC on day 14 (P 0.05). Birds fed NC with 200 or 400 β-Glu-U/kg had similar 14 d digesta viscosity as birds fed PC (P > 0.05). These data indicate that NSP ingredients may have a greater impact on digesta viscosity early in broiler growth and that AC1 at 200 and 400 β-Glu-U/kg produced similar results to PC.

Interactions between the concentration of non-starch polysaccharides in wheat and the addition of an enzyme mixture in a broiler digestibility and performance trial.

ABSTRACTTwo broiler trials were designed to investigate the relationship between the concentration of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) in wheat and 1) its nutritional value for broilers and 2) the efficacy of exogenous enzymes. In a balance trial, diets were formulated with 3 wheat cultivars (Rustic and Viscount—medium NSP, Centenaire—high NSP) and were tested with or without the addition of an exogenous enzyme mixture. The diets were fed to 144 male Ross 308 broiler chickens housed in digestibility cages. Total tract nutrient digestibilities and AMEn were measured from 18 to 22 d of age. In a performance trial, diets were formulated with wheat (medium NSP diet) or with wheat mixed with rye and barley (high NSP diet) and were tested with or without the addition of an exogenous enzyme mixture. The diets were fed to 960 male Ross 308 broilers housed in pens and broiler performance during starter, grower and finisher periods was measured.In the balance trial, wheat cultivar did not affect nutrient digestibility or AMEn. Enzyme addition caused a significant increase in nutrient digestibilities and AMEn for the diet formulated with the high NSP wheat Centenaire only. In the performance trial, feeding the high NSP diet resulted in a higher feed conversion ratio and lower final body weight compared to the medium NSP diet. The largest improvements by enzyme addition were observed in the high NSP diet.In conclusion, the study was not able to show a consistent relationship between the NSP concentration of wheat and its nutritional value, but did demonstrate that the effect of an enzyme mixture on nutrient digestibility or broiler performance depends upon the NSP concentration in the diet.

High dosing NSP enzymes for total protein and digestible amino acid reformulation in a wheat/corn/soybean meal diet in broilers

SUMMARY This research sheds a new light on the potency of non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) enzymes xylanase, glucanase, and pectinase to save on total protein and digestible amino acids in broiler feed. It was demonstrated previously that advised dosages of further described NSP enzyme concepts can decrease FCR1500 by ≥3% in broilers on various non-reformulated diets, allowing for energy reformulation. Hence the hypothesis that higher dosages are needed to release sufficient NSP encapsulated protein for protein and digestible amino acid reformulation. Two NSP enzyme concepts at double the advised dosage were compared with protease at advised dosage (positive control, confirmed in former trial) in an experimental broiler performance essay. A standard (S) and negative control (NC) diet with relatively 3% less total protein and digestible amino acids, were formulated. The NC diet was supplemented with 1 of 3 commercial enzymes: 1) 40,000 endo-1,4-β-xylanase XU/g (EC 3.2.1.8) and 9,000 endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase BGU/g (EC 3.2.1.6) (XG) (double the advised dosage, 200 ppm), 2) 10,700 endo-1,4-β-xylanase XU/g (EC 3.2.1.8), 6,150 endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase BGU/g (EC 3.2.1.6) and 230 pectinase PGLU/g (EC 3.2.1.15) (XGP) (double the advised dosage, 400 ppm) or 3) concentrated protease (PRO) at advised dosage (300 ppm). Performance (feed intake, body weight gain and feed to gain) were similar in broilers fed XG, XGP and PRO supplemented NC diets and equaled the S diet. The present study demonstrates that 200 and 400ppm of mentioned XG and XGP concepts respectively, enable a 3% reformulation on total protein and digestible amino acids. This allows for considerable cost saving of common broiler formula, in present case 3.97 to 4.67€/ton less in starter and 2.37 to 3.07€/ton less in grower feed (calculation of raw materials based on Belgian ingredient prices July 2015). This is mediated by 1) a total protein and digestible amino acid reduction, using 2) mentioned NSP enzyme concepts that are about 43 to 20% cheaper (at double the advised dosage) than protease in current European settings.

The effect of type of carbohydrate (starch vs. nonstarch polysaccharides) on nutrients digestibility, energy retention and maintenance requirements in Nile tilapia

For Nile tilapia, the energetic value of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) was compared to starch. It was assessed if carbohydrate type (NSP vs. starch) affected the energetic utilization for growth (KgDE) and the energy requirements for maintenance (DEm). Eighteen groups of fish were assigned in 2×3 factorial design: two diets, with either a high NSP or high starch content; and three feeding levels (low, medium or satiation). The NSP diet contained 70% of the starch diet supplemented with 30% dried distillers grains with solubles. Nutrients digestibility, nitrogen and energy balances were measured. All nutrients digestibility decreased with increasing feeding level (P<0.001). Diet type (NSP vs. starch) affected the digestibility of all nutrients except for dry matter and fat. NSP of both diets were digested and the NSP digestibility ranged between 23% and 73%. Averaged over feeding levels, 5% and 17% of the total digestible energy originated from NSP at the starch and NSP diet, respectively. Although the digestible energy intake was similar, the contrast in type of carbohydrates between the diets resulted in lower energy retention with the NSP rich diet (P<0.05). Despite this impact on energy retention, both DEm and kgDE were not significantly influence by diet. However, DEm was numerically higher (96 vs. 110kJkg−0.8BWd−1) and kgDE was numerically lower (65% vs. 58%) at the NSP diet compared to the starch diet. In conclusion, NSP are digested by Nile tilapia. Digested NSP are less well utilized for growth, which is reflected by a lower energy retention in fish and is due to the slightly higher DEm in combination with a slightly lower kgDE. Statement of relevanceScarcity of fishmeal and -oil combined with the fast growing aquaculture sector, result in diversification of feed ingredients in fish-feeds. Plant ingredients as protein source become more important, which also increases the dietary carbohydrate content including non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). This paper provides information on the nutritional value of NSP in tilapia. This will eventually lead to improved fish-feed formulations.