Dietary α-galactosidase and xylanase to improve the nutritional value of corn-soybean-rapeseed meal diets in broiler chickens

• Published in: Journal of Applied Animal Research Vol. 52; no. 1
• Main Authors: Viñado, Alberto, Srinongkote, Saksit, Mascarell, Josep, Morales, Rene, Estévez, Javier, Carné, Sergi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 31.12.2024
• Subjects: alpha-galactosidase; raffinose; rapeseed meal; soybean meal; stachyose; xylanase
• ISSN: 0971-2119; 0974-1844
• DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2024.2345732

ABSTRACTTwo experiments were performed to assess the effects of an enzyme preparation (containing α-galactosidase and xylanase) on chicken performance, carcass traits, footpad dermatitis score, and nutrient digestibility. During first experiment, chickens were fed four diets: (1) control diet (PC): corn and soybean-rapeseed meal; (2) PC supplemented with 350 ppm of the enzyme; (3) Negative control (NC): PC with a 4% reduction of apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and crude protein content; (4) NC supplemented with 500 ppm of the enzyme. In the second experiment, chickens were fed PC or PC + enzyme 350 ppm and a digestibility balance was performed. The enzyme supplementation at 350 and 500 ppm significantly improved the overall feed conversion ratio in PC and NC diet, respectively (P < 0.01). Regarding footpad dermatitis score, animals fed NC + enzyme 500 ppm tended to present a lower value than animals fed NC (P < 0.1). Concerning the digestibility balance, PC + enzyme 350 ppm diet presented a higher feed AME and AMEn value than PC diet (P < 0.05). The enzyme also improved the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of proline (P < 0.05) and tended to increase AID of cysteine (P < 0.1). In conclusion, the enzyme preparation improves birds feed efficiency by increasing energy utilization.