By Epol
Enzymes are naturally occurring proteins that act as biological catalysts, speeding up specific chemical reactions. They are used in poultry feed to enhance nutrient digestibility, leading to improved production and reduced excretion of phosphorus and nitrogen, which in turn minimises production costs and environmental pollution.
- Commonly used Enzymes in poultry production:
- Phytase: Helps release phosphorus that is bound in phytate, the primary storage form of phosphorus in plant-based feed ingredients, making it more available to the bird. Phytases also make other trace minerals, such as Zinc, manganese and iron, more available to the bird.
- Xylanase: Helps break down xylans, polysaccharides found in the cell wall of plants, which helps to reduce dietary viscosity and improve nutrient digestibility. Arabinoxylan oligosaccharides (AXOS) are also produced when xylanases break down arabinoxylans. AXOS support beneficial bacteria, improving overall health and performance.
- Proteases: Can improve the digestion of protein in the diet, leading to better utilisation of amino acids and reduced nitrogen excretion. Improved protein utilisation means lower undigested protein levels in the distal intestine, which can also improve gut health by reducing the number of proteolytic bacteria, especially in the cecum.
By improving nutrient absorption, enzymes reduce the amount of undigested nutrients, especially phosphorus and nitrogen, that are excreted in manure.
- Lower nitrogen excretion translates to less ammonia (NH3) in manure, which is a major source of air pollution and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
- Improving phosphorus availability leads to less phosphorus in the manure. Phosphorus runoff from manure can lead to eutrophication in water bodies, harming aquatic ecosystems.
Enzymes help break down complex carbohydrates, non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), and proteins in feed, making them more digestible for poultry. This not only improves animal performance and feed efficiency, but also contributes to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly poultry production system.
