Multi-enzyme Supplementation Research Articles

Supplementation of pH-Stable Multienzyme Improved Growth Performance of Broiler Chickens

Supplementation of pH-Stable Multienzyme Improved Growth Performance of Broiler Chickens

SUNFLOWER MEAL AND EXOGENOUS ENZYMES IN INITIAL DIETS FOR BROILERS

ABSTRACT This research aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels of sunflower meal (SFM) and the supplementation of a multienzyme complex in the initial diets of broilers on their performance, intestinal morphometry and carcass characteristics. In all, 1100 1-d-old male chicks were distributed in a completely randomized design with 2 x 5 factorial arrangement (with and without a multienzyme supplement and five levels of SFM inclusion - 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16%), and five replications per experimental unit. The experimental diets were provided until the chickens were 21-d-old and thereafter all birds received the same diet up to 42 d, to evaluate the possible residual effects of treatments. The SFM inclusion impaired performance from 1 to 21 d of age and the animals that received SFM during the initial phase, failed to recover from the negative effects on performance parameters. The multienzyme supplement improved the intestinal morphometry and was more effective than non-supplemented diets on performance, independent of the SFM inclusion level. The carcass and cuts yield of the wings and leg were significantly affected by the multienzyme supplementation. In conclusion, the SFM inclusion impaired performance variables and intestinal morphometry without affecting carcass yield; however, the supplementation of an enzyme complex counteracted the negative performance and intestinal morphometry effects.

Nutritive value of extruded or multi-enzyme supplemented cold-pressed soybean cake for pigs.

The objectives were to determine the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA and NE value of cold-pressed soybean cake (CP-SBC), and the effect of extrusion or adding multi-enzyme to CP-SBC diet for growing pigs. Eight ileal-cannulated pigs (initial BW = 79.7 ± 3.97 kg) were fed 4 diets in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design to give 8 replicates per diet. Diets included a cornstarch-based diet with CP-SBC, extruded CP-SBC, and SBC plus multi-enzyme (1,200 U of xylanase, 150 U of glucanase, 500 U of cellulase, 60 U of mannanase, 700 U of invertase, 5,000 U of protease, and 12,000 U of amylase/kilogram of diet; Superzyme-CS, 0.5 g/kg); and a N-free diet. The CP-SBC was the sole source of protein in the CP-SBC-containing diets. The ratio of cornstarch to sugar and soybean oil in CP-SBC-containing diets was identical to the N-free diet to allow calculation of energy digestibility of CP-SBC by the difference method. The evaluated CP-SBC had been produced by heating the soybean seed at 105°C for 60 min followed by pressing of the heated soybean seeds at less than 42°C (barrel temperature). On a DM basis, CP-SBC and extruded CP-SBC contained 47.8 and 47.1% CP, 15.6 and 10.5% ADF, 7.23 and 8.85% ether extract, 3.11 and 3.08% Lys, and 2.25 and 3.70 trypsin inhibitor units per mg, respectively. Extrusion increased ( < 0.001) the SID of AA for the CP-SBC by an average of 12%. Also, extrusion increased ( < 0.001) the NE value of the CP-SBC from 2,743 to 2,853 kcal/kg of DM. Supplementation of CP-SBC diet with the multi-enzyme increased ( < 0.05) the SID of Arg and Pro, and tended to increase ( < 0.1) the SID of Ile and Tyr. However, the multi-enzyme supplementation did not affect the NE value of CP-SBC. In conclusion, the CP-SBC evaluated in the present study could be an alternative source of AA and energy in swine diets, and its nutritive value can be increased by extrusion following cold-pressing. The multi-enzyme used in this study improved the digestibility of some AA, but had limited effect on energy digestibility and hence NE value of the CP-SBC.

Effect of Supplementation of Multi Enzymes on Production Performance and Egg Quality Traits in White Leghorn Layers

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of supplementation of Multi-enzymes with lysophospholipids on production performance of pure line White Leghorn layers. Body weights before and after the experiment did not differ significantly across the experimental diets. Irrespective of the dietary treatments, the birds gained 3.83 per cent of live weight relative to its initial body weight. Mean per cent Hen housed egg production was significantly (Pis less than 0.05) higher in diet supplemented with 0.10 MEC-L than other groups. Mean egg weight and average daily feed consumption during 25 to 35 weeks of age indicated no significant effect of enzyme supplementation. Average daily feed consumption per bird in control, 0.05 % and 0.1% multi-enzyme supplemented groups was 108.13, 105.66 and 107.67 g respectively and birds offered control diet recorded numerically more feed intake than enzyme supplemented groups. Comparatively low feed per egg was observed in 0.10 per cent group followed by 0.05 per cent group which offers economic benefits than control diets. However, the egg quality traits between different dietary enzyme supplementation groups showed no significant difference.

Nutritive value of cold-pressed camelina cake with or without supplementation of multi-enzyme in broiler chickens

The objectives were to determine the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) and AMEn value of cold-pressed camelina cake (CPCC) and the effect of adding multi-enzyme to a corn-CPCC diet for broilers. The 600 male broiler chicks were divided into 40 groups and fed 5 diets in a completely randomized design (8 groups per diet) from d 15 to d 21 of age. A corn basal diet and the basal diet with 30% of it replaced by CPCC were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with or without multi-enzyme (2,800 U of cellulase, 1,800 U of pectinase, 400 U of mannanase, 50 U of galactanase, 1,000 U of xylanase, 600 U of glucanase, 2,500 U of amylase, and 200 U of protease/kilogram of diet; Superzyme OM, 1 g/kg). The fifth diet was N-free. The corn basal diet was fed to determine nutrient digestibility and retention for CPCC by substitution. The N-free diet was fed to estimate basal endogenous AA losses for determining SID of AA. Diets contained TiO2 as indigestible marker. On a DM basis, CPCC contained 39.8% CP, 38.3% neutral detergent fiber, 12.7% ether extract, 1.89% Lys, 0.70% Met, 1.56% Thr, and 0.45% Trp. The SID of Lys, Met, Thr, and Trp for CPCC were 76.5, 85.5, 72.8, and 84.1%, respectively. The AMEn value for CPCC was 1,671 kcal/kg of DM. Multi-enzyme supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the SID of Met and Thr and the AMEn value of the corn-CPCC-based diet by 1.4, 1.3, and 3.0%, respectively. The multi-enzyme increased (P = 0.026) the AMEn value of CPCC from 1,671 to 1,941 kcal/kg of DM. In conclusion, the CPCC evaluated in the present study can be included in poultry diets as a source of energy and AA. Multi-enzyme supplementation increased the AMEn value of CPCC for broilers.

Comparison between effects of Complex enzyme and Multi enzyme supplementation on the Productive Performance of Broiler

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two feed additives commercially produced, the complex enzymes andthe multi enzymes on the weekly and finally productive performance of broiler chicks. A total of 600 broiler cobb chicks,housed in an experimental unit, with stocking density 10/ m2, using 10 pens, 60 chicks for each which was used as replicates.Feed and water were provided ad libitum through feeders and bell drinker. Birds were divided into two equal groups.( T1and T2) each of them 300 chicks and five replicates, the first group T1 group chicks fed the basal diet with complexenzymes Allzyme SSF® 0.2 gm/kg feed that composed from Phytase, Protease, Cellulase, Xylanase, Beta-glucanase,Amylase, and Pectinase , the second T2 group was fed on the basal diet with Multi enzymes Natuphos® 0.05 gm/kg feedcomposed of Phytase plus Zympex 008® 0.5 gm/kg feed composed of Alpha-galactosidase, Protease, Beta-mannanase,Cellulase, Xylanase, Beta glucanase, Amylase, and Protease. Productive performance was evaluated by determining theweekly feed intake, body weight, FCR, and final mortality rate and European efficient index. Results revealed significantdifference between the two tested groups within the different weeks the second group showed higher average body weightand lower FCR, compared with the first group finally, there was no significant difference in mortality rate and Europeanefficient index between the two tested groups. It can be concluded that both complex enzymes and multi enzymes havebeneficial effects on the broiler performance parameters

REPLACEMENT OF ALFALFA HAY BY MORINGA PETIOLES MEAL WITH OR WITHOUT ADDING CAPLIX IN GROWING RABBIT DIETS.

A total number of 72 New Zealand White (NZW) growing rabbits of mixed sex, 6 weeks old with 500±13.75 g average body weight was used to study the effect of using different levels of Moringa petioles meal without or with supplementation of multi enzymes caplix on rabbit performance, nutrients digestibility, caecum activity, carcass characteristics and economic efficiency. Rabbits were divided into 6 treatments 12 rabbits each. Three substitution levels of Moringa petioles meal were used (zero, 25 and 50%) instead of Alfalfa dehydrate meal of control diet, with or without caplix addition at levels of 0.00 or 0.05% of diet in 3x2 factorial design. Results indicated that, chemical analysis contents of Moringa petioles meal was higher in DM, OM, CP, EE, Ash, Cell., P and DE than Alfalfa dehydrate meal. While Alfalfa dehydrate meal was higher in CF, NFE, NDF, ADF, ADL, Hemi., Lig. and Ca. most nutrients digestibility were improved (P<0.05) with replacing Alfalfa dehydrate meal by Moringa petioles meal at level 25 or 50%. Also, adding caplix to rabbit diets improved the nutrients digestibility and nutritive values compared to the unsuplemented diets. Caecum weight and TVFS caecal juice concentrations increased (p<0.05) with replacing Moringa petioles meal compared to the control group. Adding caplix to rabbit diets increased (P<0.05) caecum weight, caecum length, caecum pH and TVFA’S concentrations compared to the unsuplemented diets. Using Moringa petioles meal in rabbit significantly (P<0.05) increased the average values of FBW, DBWG and DFI and also with adding caplix in rabbit diets compared to those groups fed diets without caplix. Carcass weight and total edible parts % increased (P<0.05) with either adding caplix or Moringa petioles meal at levels 25 and 50% compared to the control group. The tested diets not affect significantly meat content of DM, CP and EE. Replacement Alfalfa hay by Moringa petioles meal level or adding caplix did Replacing Moringa petioles meal for at level of 25 or 50% either with or without adding caplix to rabbit diets improved the economic efficiency. Conclusively, replacement of 50% of alfalfa hay in the rabbits diet by moringa petioles meal with 0.05% caplex supplementation could be recommanded to improve rabbit growth performance parameters and feed efficiency of feed utilizationunder the Egyptian conditions.

Animal Model Show Physiological Characteristics Can Alter by Feeding of Different Cereal Type and Exogenous Multi-Enzyme

Physiological characteristics of meat-type chicken such as growth traits, serum biochemical metabolites and mineral concentrations, serum enzyme activity, and gut flora were studied by means of 625 day-old chicks which randomly assigned to five treatments with five replicates in a completely randomized design. Four different types of cereal-based diets (wheat, and barley with or without exogenous multi-enzyme supplement) were used as experimental groups and a corn-based diet was also considered to serve as control group. All diets had similar contents of crude protein, energy, and total non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). Results indicated that enzyme supplemented diets improved daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio than barley and wheat diets without enzyme significantly (P&lt;0.01). Feeding wheat and barley diets decreased the serum cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose concentrations than control group significantly (P&lt;0.01). Also using of these two type of cereals without enzyme supplementation resulted in reduced serum mineral concentration and undesirable effect on gut flora (P&lt;0.01). Total gram negative bacteria of the ileum was decreased, however lactic acid and bifida bacteria population were increased by supplementation of wheat and barley diets with exogenous multi-enzyme significantly (P&lt;0.01). The serum activities of α-amylase and lipase were increased in chicks fed wheat and barley diets when compared to the control group fed on corn diet, but enzyme supplementation significantly reduced the serum activities of α-amylase and lipase (P&lt;0.01).

Effects of total collection method and dietary enzyme supplementation on the energy utilisation and metabolisable energy values of diets fed to broiler chickens

Summary This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietary enzyme supplementation on the energy utilisation and metabolisable energy values of diets fed to broiler chickens using 2 different total collection methods. The experiment was performed using a completely randomised design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of two total collection methods (marker to marker method or precision-fed method) and two dietary treatments (with or without 1Â g/kg dietary multi-enzyme supplementation). A total of 48 35-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly allotted to one of two total collection methods, and within each method, birds were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments with 6 replicates of two birds (one male and one female) per replicate. Additional 12 birds were used to estimate endogenous losses of gross energy (GE) and nitrogen (N).

Growth and Economic Performance of Broiler Chickens Fed on Graded Levels of Canola Meal with or without Multi-Enzyme Supplementation

Canola meal (CM) is commonly used in poultry diets; however, its use is limited due to anti-nutritive factors. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding various levels of canola meal (CM) with or without multi-enzyme supplement on broiler chickens. Four levels of CM (0, 5, 10 and 20%) were used with or without multi-enzyme (0 or 300 g/ton of diet) in a factorial design 4 × 2 in 8 dietary combinations. During the experimental period (0-42 d of age), inclusion of CM at a level of 5 and 10% without multi-enzyme and at a level of 20% with or without multi-enzyme decreased body weight gain and gain:feed ratio compared to control (CON; P < 0.05). However, there was no difference in the final body weight at day 42 of age between the groups. No differences were found in carcass characteristics between treatments. Inclusion of CM in broiler diet decreased serum antibody titer at 42 d of age compared to the control and enzyme-supplemented CM groups (P < 0.05). Inclusion of CM with multi-enzyme supplement decreased serum total cholesterol, total triglyceride and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase compared to CON and enzyme-unsupplemented groups (P < 0.05). Diets supplemented with CM had higher serum creatinine than CON and enzyme-supplemented CM groups (P < 0.05). Lower serum triiodothyronine in broilers fed diet supplemented with 10 or 20% CM was noticed (P < 0.05). CM with multi-enzyme supplementation to broiler ration showed a slight increase in net revenue.

Effects of dietary supplementation of multi-enzyme on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, small intestinal digestive enzyme activities, and large intestinal selected microbiota in weanling pigs1

Two experiments were conducted to assess the effects of dietary supplementation of an exogenous multi-enzyme (EME) preparation to 35- to 65-d-old piglets on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, and selected microbial populations in feces. In Exp.1, twenty eight 35-d-old piglets were randomly assigned to 7 dietary treatments (corn-soybean based diet supplemented with 0, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, or 350 mg EME/kg) in a 14-d digestibility study. Piglets fed the diets supplemented with EME had greater ATTD of DM, CP, and GE (P = 0.001, 0.005, and 0.009, respectively) than those fed the diet without EME supplementation, and those ATTD values increased linearly and quadratically (P < 0.001) as the levels of supplemented EME increased. In Exp. 2, two hundred 35-d-old weanling piglets were randomly allocated to 20 pens. The pens were then randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments (corn-soybean based diet supplemented with 0, 100, 150, 250, or 350 mg EME/kg) with 4 pens per treatment in a 30-d feeding experiment. Piglets has ad libitum access to diets and water, and they were weighed at the beginning (35-d-old), middle (50-d-old), and end (65-d-old) of the experiment. Fecal samples were grabbed directly from the rectum and digesta samples from duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were taken at the end of the experiment for the analysis of selected bacteria populations and digestive-enzyme activities. The ADG and ADFI tended to be greater with the increasing levels of supplemented EME in both periods, whereas G:F was improved (P = 0.012 and 0.017) by EME in the period of 35 to 50 d of age and during the overall experimental period. Furthermore, inclusion of EME in diet increased the counts of Lactobacilli spp. and Bacillus subtilis spp., but reduced the populations of Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli spp. in the feces. The EME supplementation also enhanced (P < 0.05) the activities of amylase, lipase, and protease in the small intestine. The growth performance-enhancing effects of EME appeared to be mediated by the age of the piglet and the dose of EME used. Supplementation of corn-soybean meal diets for 35- to 65-d-old piglets with EME has a potential to enhance gut health condition, increase nutrient digestion, and increase growth performance.

Improving nutrient values of palm kernel cake (PKC) by reducing shell contamination and enzymes supplementation

Inclusion of palm kernel cake (PKC) in poultry feed is limited due to shell contamination and its low nutritive values, despite the increase of PKC production. Therefore, a series of experiment was conducted in order to improve nutritive values of palm kernel cake (PKC) by sieving and enzyme supplementation. First experiment was designed to reduce shell content using shiever with different diameters (1, 2 and 4 mm). Shell content was measured manually to determine the effect of the sieving. The second experiment was carried out by blowing the after sieving at 2 mm shieve PKC, to produced heavy, medium and light fractions. The shell content and nutrient contents of the medium and light fractions were compared to those of unsieved PKC. In the third experiment, the sieved PKC was supplemented with 2 enzymes with different concentrations, i.e., BS4 at 10, 15 and 20 ml/kg PKC and a commercial multi enzymes at 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg PKC. Digestibility of nutrients (dry matter, crude protein and TME) were measured by force feeding method with six replications for each sample. Results of the study showed that sieving with 2 mm diameter siever without blowing was effective in reducing about 50% of PKC shell and improved crude protein, ether extract and amino acids, contents and reduced the crude fiber content of the PKC. Supplementation of enzymes improved the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and the true metabolisable energy (TME) of the PKC. Optimum improvement was obtained when PKC was supplemented with 20 ml BS4 enzymes/kg PKC. Similar improvement was obtained by supplementation of commercial multi enzymes at 2 g/kg PKC. Therefore, in order to improve the nutritive values of PKC, it is suggested to sieve the PKC followed by supplementation of enzyme prior to feeding. Key Words : Palm Kernel Cake, Sieve, Enzymes, Nutritive Values.

Performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chicks as influenced by multienzyme addition to starter diets containing palm kernel meal

This study was conducted to investigate the performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chicks as influenced by multi-enzyme (Hemicell +Roxazyme G) addition to starter diets containing palm kernel meal. Nine experimental diets were formulated such that diet 1 which served as control contained 0 % PKM without enzyme supplementation. Diet 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained 10, 20, 30 and 40 % PKM levels respectively with multi-enzyme supplementation while diets 6, 7, 8 and 9 contained 10, 20, 30 and 40 % PKM inclusion levels respectively without multi-enzyme supplementation. Five hundred and forty (540) day old hybro broilers of mixed sex in ratio (1: 1) were randomly assigned to nine diets in a completely randomized design. Each treatment was replicated thrice with 20 birds per replicate. The experiment lasted 35 days. The results showed that nutrient digestibility in the control and 10 % PKM with enzyme supplementation were similar but were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher than other PKM diets with or without supplementation. There was significant (P&lt;0.05) improvement in body weight and body weight gain and reduce feed intake with supplementation. Birds fed with 20 % PKM with enzyme showed similarity with control birds in all the performance parameters measured. Enzyme addition significantly (P&lt;0.05) reduced cost of feed consumed at 30 % level of inclusion with PKM while cost per kilogram weight gain and cost of production were lower at 20 % PKM level.

Effects of two dietary exogenous multi-enzyme supplementation, Natuzyme® and beta-mannanase (Hemicell®), on growth and blood parameters of Caspian salmon (Salmo trutta caspius)

Recent increases in feed ingredient costs have motivated the fisheries industry to identify technologies that will improve feed utilisation and reduce the cost per pound of gain. The effects of two supplemental exogenous enzymes (Natuzyme® and Hemicell®) on the growth performance in Caspian salmon (Salmo trutta caspius) were examined over an 8-week feeding trial. After the experimental period, the survival rate ranged from 91.33 ± 1.15 % in controls to 96.67 ± 1.15 % in the group that received 0.5 g Natuzyme® kg−1 + 0.5 g Hemicell® kg−1 (NH) in their diet and there was a statistical difference between experimental and control groups (p 0.05). The results suggested that enzyme supplementation caused significant improvement on growth performance and feed utilisation in Caspian salmon.

Productive and reproductive performance and egg quality of laying hens fed diets containing different levels of date pits with enzyme supplementations

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of phytase and/or multienzymes (protease, amyloglucoidase, xylanase, B-glucanase, cellulose, and hemicellulase) on improving the utilization of date pit (DP) in laying hens. In the first one, DP completely replaced corn in four isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets: (1) DP50 without additives, (2) DP50 + 500 FTU phytase/kg, (3) DP50 + 0.1 % multienzymes, and (4) DP50 + 500 FTU phytase/kg + 0.1 % multienzymes, in addition to the diet without DP. In the second experiment, DP was included at 0 %, 15 %, and 30 % in isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets. Meanwhile, diets containing 15 % and 30 % DP (DP15 and DP30) were fed without or with 500 FTU phytase/kg diet and/or 0.1 % multienzymes. In both experiments, each diet was fed to six groups of five hens housed individually (520 cm(2) per hen) during 30-42 and 28-42 weeks in the first and second experiment, respectively. In the first experiment, productive performance and shell quality of laying hens significantly decreased due to complete substitution of corn, but fertility and hatchability were not affected. Phytase, multienzymes supplementation did not restore laying performance to the control level. The results of experiment 2 indicated that DP could be included in laying hens diets up to 30 % when supplemented with multienzymes.

Organ weight, intestinal morphology, and fasting whole-body oxygen consumption in growing pigs fed diets containing distillers dried grains with solubles alone or in combination with a multi-enzyme supplement

Organ weight, intestinal morphology, and fasting whole-body oxygen consumption in growing pigs fed diets containing distillers dried grains with solubles alone or in combination with a multi-enzyme supplement

Effect of phytase with or without multienzyme supplementation on performance and nutrient digestibility of young broiler chicks fed mash or crumble diets

A total of 210 unsexed 1-day old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were wing banded and randomly distributed among 30 cages of 7 birds per cage keeping equal initial BW during days 1–20 of age. A factorial design (2×3) was used in which there were two feed forms (mash vs crumble diet) and three enzyme treatments (unsupplemented, phytase, phytase plus multienzyme). Each treatment was replicated 5 times with 7 chicks per replicate. Body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of fed chicks were significantly improved when the crumble diet was administered. However, feed intake of chicks fed on the crumble feeds was significantly lower than those fed the mash diet. Digestibility of ether extract and crude fiber was significantly greater in groups fed the crumble diet than those fed the mash diet. Enzyme supplementation significantly and similarly increased growth and production index, and improved FCR. Also greater digestibility of crude protein and crude ash was observed but growth during days 8–14 of age and crude fibre digestibility were significantly greater in chicks receiving the multienzyme plus phytase supplement than those receiving phytase alone. Crumble feed supplemented with multienzyme resulted in the highest performance and nutrient digestibility of broilers during days 1–20 of age.

Effects of supplementation of multi-enzyme and multi-species probiotic on production performance, egg quality, cholesterol level and immune system in laying hens

A study was conducted to evaluate enzyme and probiotic feed supplements as alternative feed additives to alleviate the problems associated with the withdrawal of antibiotics from layer diet. A total of 180 Hy-Line W-98 hens, 40 weeks old, were assigned into four treatment groups so that there were 45 laying hens in each group. Four dietary treatments were randomly assigned to the four groups of hens. Hens in Group 1 were fed basal diet only (negative control), Group 2 was fed basal diet + antibiotic at a level of 2.0 g/kg (positive control), Group 3 was fed basal diet + multi-enzyme at a level of 2.0 g/kg (ES) and Group 4 was fed basal diet + multi-species probiotic at a level of 0.5 g/kg (PS). The results showed that addition of either enzyme or probiotic supplementation to the basal diet significantly increased the egg production, egg weight and egg mass of hens than the negative control group. There was no significant difference in feed intake among treatments, although the feed conversion improved with the addition of antibiotic, enzyme and probiotic than the negative control. Over the 70-day trial period, weight gain was higher than the negative control for birds fed the diet containing probiotic. There was no significant effect on mortality during the study. Haugh unit score was significantly increased in the groups fed the ES and PS diets when compared with negative control group. Egg shape index, specific gravity, yolk index, shell weight, shell thickness and damaged eggs did not differ significantly among the laying hens of all dietary groups. High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was significantly increased by probiotic supplementation compared with other dietary groups. Dietary treatments did not influence eosinophils and monocytes, increased lymphocyte and decreased heterophil and H:L ratio. The geometric means haemagglutination inhibition titres of birds fed on diets containing antibiotic, enzyme and probiotic supplementation were higher from 28 to 70 days than that of negative control. It may be concluded that the supplementation of enzyme and probiotic in layer diets did not appear to cause any adverse effects on egg production, egg quality and immunity compared with the negative control laying hens and non-antibiotic feed additives can be used as alternative. Moreover, the dietary supplementation of probiotic may lead to the development of low-cholesterol chicken eggs as demanded by health-conscious consumers.

The effect of supplementation of feed with exogenous enzymes on the growth of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Summary Supplementary feed exogenous enzymes have improved the growth rates of various food animals. In this research, the effect of Endofeed W, a multienzyme feed supplement, was investigated on the growth of carp. Accordingly, 134 fish (33.1 ± 0.8 g) were randomly allocated to 4 experimental groups. During the first stage of the experiment (10 days), groups 1-3 received 1, 2 and 3 g Endofeed W per kg diet, respectively. The fourth group (control) received a placebo. All fish were weighed and redistributed for the second stage of the experiment, during which the test groups received 0.25, 0.5 and 1 g Endofeed W per kg diet, respectively. During the first stage of the experiment, the multienzyme supplement reduced the fish weights, dose dependently, being statistically significant with the highest dose (P 0.05). The feed conversion rates were evidently higher in groups receiving Endofeed W. The present study suggests the enzyme supplement, Endofeed W, is not only ineffective in improving the growth and feed conversion rates of carp, it may even exert negative effects with higher doses.

Influence of particle size and multi-enzyme supplementation of fibrous diets on total tract digestibility and performance of weaning (8–20 kg) and growing (20–40 kg) pigs

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of fibre source (cassava residue, CR and sweet potato vines, SPV), particle size (1 mm and 3 mm screen size) and multi-enzyme supplementation (mixture of α-amylase, β-glucanase, cellulase and protease) on growth performance and the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) in weaning and growing pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire). The experimental diets were based on maize, fish meal, full fat soybean, soybean meal, soybean oil and CR or SPV. The dietary levels of CR and SPV were 200 and 350 g/kg (as fed) in the post-weaning and growing period, respectively. The experiment was arranged according to a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial completely randomized design with five replications, and lasted 60 days with two periods: from 30 to 60 days of age (post-weaning) and 60 to 90 days of age (growing). In each period, pigs fed the CR diet had higher CTTAD of dietary components (except for ether extract), average daily gain and lower feed conversion ratio than those fed the SPV diet (P<0.05). The reduction in particle size increased the CTTAD of dietary components and average daily gain in the post-weaning period (P<0.05), but not in the growing period (P>0.05). Addition of the enzyme mixture improved the CTTAD and growth performance in the post-weaning period (P<0.05). There was an interaction between particle size and multi-enzyme supplementation on the CTTAD of crude protein and neutral detergent fibre (P<0.05) in the post-weaning period, such that multi-enzyme supplementation increased the CTTAD of CP and NDF in the larger particle size diet (0.80 versus 0.75, and 0.58 versus 0.51, respectively), while there was no changes in the small particle size diet (0.80 versus 0.78, and 0.59 versus 0.55, respectively). However, in the growing period multi-enzyme supplementation had no positive effect on the performance and the CTTAD of dietary components, with the exception of the CTTAD of crude protein and neutral detergent fibre. In conclusion, a reduction in particle size and multi-enzyme supplementation improved the CTTAD of dietary components and the growth performance in the post-weaning period, but not in the growing period.