Carbohydrases and phytase with rice bran, effects on amino acid digestibility and energy use in broiler chickens.

Protein sources from cereals are used in broiler diets, usually in order to reduce feeding costs. However, their efficient use in poultry diets is limited by the level of fiber whose compounds are resistant to digestion in the small intestine; due to this sugars are not digested by endogenous poultry enzymes. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of multi-carbohydrase (MC) and phytase (Phy) on the total retention of nutrients, retention of apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEN) (trial 1) and apparent and standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids (trial 2) of rice bran (RB). A total of 245-day-old male broilers (Cobb 500) was distributed at 21-day-old in a completely randomized design in a 2 × 2 + 1 (0 and 200 mg/kg MC; 0 and 50 mg/kg Phy, and basal diet - BD) factorial arrangement of treatments, to give seven replicates and seven birds per replicate. The BD based on corn (trial 1) and cornstarch and casein (trial 2) was used only to determine the coefficients of retention of nutrients and energy, and coefficients of digestibility of amino acids of the RB. The test diets were made by mixing BD and RB 7 : 3 wt/wt basis. There was interaction (P<0.05) between MC × Phy for DM, nitrogen and AMEN, retention and no interaction (P>0.05) for ash, calcium, phosphorous and NDF was observed. Enzymes interacted (P<0.05) on standardized ileal digestibility of arginine, histidine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, valine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, proline and serine. Dietary combination of MC and Phy resulted in higher (P<0.05) standardized digestibility of arginine, histidine, methionine and threonine relative to single enzyme supplementation or control diet without enzymes. Enzyme isolated inclusions in the diets improved (P<0.05) standardized digestibility of methionine. The supplementation of carbohydrases and Phy in RB will improve the nitrogen, energy and amino acids utilization for broiler chickens.

Nutrient and energy balance, and amino acid digestibility in weaned piglets fed wheat bran and an exogenous enzyme combination.

The digestive system of the weaned piglets can be affected by the type of ingredients present in the diet, and a high fibre content in diets can limit the use of other nutrients and energy. The study was conducted to determine the effects of multicarbohydrase (MC) and phytase (Phy) supplementation on the nutritive value of wheat bran (WB) in weaned piglets. Multicarbohydrase preparation had 700 U α-galactosidase, 2200 U galactomannanase, 3000 U xylanase and 22 000 U ß-glucanase per kilogram of diet, and Phy had 500 phytase units - FTU/kg of diet. Twenty-five weaned piglets (6.1 ± 0.63 kg) at 21 days old were fed five diets in a completely randomised experimental design with a 2 × 2 + 1 (0 and 200 mg/kg MC; 0 and 50 mg/kg Phy; and basal diet - BD) factorial arrangement used to determine treatment effects. An additional group of piglets was fed a corn-basal diet during apparent digestibility of nutrients, and fed a 5% casein-corn starch basal diet during apparent and standardised ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acid evaluations. Piglets were individually caged until 38 days old, when Ileal digesta was collected at slaughter. Test diets were made by mixing the basal diets and WB 7 : 3 (w/w), with or without MC, Phy or the combination. There was an interaction trend (P = 0.07) between MC and Phy in the balance of ash, digestible energy (DE) and metabolisable energy (ME). Effects of MC (P < 0.01) on DM, N retention, DE and ME, as well as an effect of Phy (P < 0.05) on ash, DE and ME and a trend in protein digestibility (P = 0.07) also was observed. The enzyme combination showed effect (P < 0.05) on SID of Lys, Pro and Ser; as a trend (P < 0.07) on His, Thr and Val. Isolated, MC also suggested improving (P < 0.07) on SID of His, Lys, Ala (P < 0.05), while Phy improved (P < 0.06) SID of Leu, Lys, Met (P < 0.01), Thr, Val, Ala (P < 0.01), Pro and Ser (P < 0.05). The MC carbohydrate complex was characterised as a viable alternative to increase the apparent nutrients digestibility and SID of amino acids when WB was used in the diet of young pigs and, when combined with Phy, suggested an additive effect on the apparent use of energy.

Effects of multi-carbohydrase and phytase on standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids and apparent metabolizable energy in canola meal fed to broiler chicks.

Two assays were conducted to evaluate nutritive value of canola meal (CM) fed to broiler chicks without or with a multi-carbohydrase (MC) preparation (700 U α-galactosidase, 2,200 U galactomannanase, 30,000 U xylanase, and 22,000 U ß-glucanase per kg of diet) and phytase (Phy, 500 FTU per kg of diet). Assay 1 determined apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and metabolizable energy (AME) by the difference method. Assay 2 determined apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids by the index method. Two reference diets (RD) - an 85% corn based and a 5% casein-cornstarch diet fortified with vitamins and minerals - were made for assays 1 and 2, respectively. For each assay, the test diets were made by mixing RD and CM 7:3 wt/wt basis and fed without or with MC or Phy or combination. A total of 245 day-old male broilers (Cobb 500) was allocated to 5 treatments to give 7 replicates (7 birds/cage). The birds were fed a commercial diet from day zero to 10 followed by assay 1 fed from d 11 to 18 and assay 2 fed from d 19 to 21. Excreta samples were collected on d 15 to18, and all birds were slaughtered on d 21 for ileal digesta. There was an interaction (P < 0.05) between MC and Phy on ATTD of DM, N, and P. There was no interaction (P > 0.05) between MC and Phy on AMEn; however, MC and Phy individually improved AMEn retention. Enzymes interacted (P < 0.05) on SID of Arg, His, Leu, Met, Thr, Ala, Asp, Gln, and Gly. In this context, feeding a combination of MC and Phy resulted in higher (P < 0.05) SID of Arg, His, Met, and Thr relative to single activity or control. Both enzymes improved (P < 0.05) SID of Lys independently. The combination of carbohydrase and Phy may be an effective strategy to improve amino acid utilization in CM for poultry.

Meta-analytic study of organic acids as an alternative performance-enhancing feed additive to antibiotics for broiler chickens.

The effect of organic acids as an alternative to antibiotics on the performance of broiler chickens was evaluated by meta-analysis, identifying and quantifying the main factors that influence results. A total of 51,960 broilers from 121 articles published between 1991 and 2016 were used. Interactions of additives [non-supplemented group (control), organic acids, and growth promoter antibiotics] with microbial challenge (with or without inoculation of pathogenic microorganisms) were studied on performance variables. Moreover, the effects of organic acids, used individually or in blends, were evaluated. Relative values of average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were obtained in relation to control: ΔADG and ΔADFI, respectively. Analysis of variance-covariance revealed lower ADG with organic acids when compared to antibiotics (P < 0.05). There was a significant interaction between the additives and the challenge on feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P < 0.01) and on viability (P < 0.05). Without challenge, organic acids improved broilers' FCR (P < 0.01), presenting results similar to antibiotics (P > 0.05). Under challenge, the organic acids were again effective on FCR (-5.67% in relation to control, P < 0.05), but they did not match antibiotics (-13.40% in relation to control, P < 0.01). Viability was improved only under challenge conditions, and only by antibiotics (+4.39% in relation to control, P < 0.05). ADG (P < 0.05) and FCR (P < 0.01) were increased by blends of organic acids, but not by the organic acids used alone (P > 0.05). ADFI and production factor were not influenced by the treatments (P > 0.05). ΔADFI of organic-acid supplemented group showed a linear influence on ΔADG, which increases 0.64% at every 1% increase in ΔADFI. In conclusion, organic acids can be utilized as performance enhancing, but the results are lower than those found with antibiotics, particularly under microbial challenge. The blends of organic acids provide better results than the utilization of one organic acid alone.

Effects of lipid sources, lysophospholipids and organic acids in maize-based broiler diets on nutrient balance, liver concentration of fat-soluble vitamins, jejunal microbiota and performance.

Three experiments with a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement were conducted to evaluate maize-based diets for broilers containing different lipid sources [soybean oil (S) or beef tallow (T)] supplemented with or without lysophospholipids and organic acids on nutrient balance (Experiment I, evaluation period of 10-14 d), on liver concentration of fat-soluble vitamins, on jejunal microbiota (Experiment II, sampling at d 14) and on performance (Experiment III, accumulated periods of 1-14, 1-21 and 1-42 d). A total of 1344 male chicks were used. In each experiment, the birds were allotted in a completely randomised design with 8 replications. The lysophospholipids were mainly composed of lysolecithins and the organic acids blend was constituted by lactic (40%), acetic (7%) and butyric acids (1%). An interaction between lipid sources and lysophospholipids was observed on faecal apparent digestibility of lipid (ADL), which improved with lysophospholipids addition in T diets. Broilers fed on S had higher ADL and faecal apparent digestibility of nitrogen-corrected gross energy (ADGEN). It was not possible to demonstrate a significant treatment effect on the liver concentration of vitamins A and E, even with the differences in fatty acid profile between S and T. Enterobacteria values were below the detection threshold. Lysophospholipid supplementation reduced gram-positive cocci in T-fed birds. S diets promoted lower total anaerobe counts compared with T diets, independent of additives. S diets increased BW gain and feed:gain ratio in all evaluation periods. Lysophospholipids and organic acids improved feed:gain ratio at 1-21 d in T diets. Furthermore, main effects were observed for lysophospholipids and organic acids at 1-42 d, which increased BW gain and improved feed:gain ratio, respectively. No positive interactions between additives were found.

Organic acids in diets of weaned piglets: performance, digestibility and economical viability / Ácidos orgânicos em dietas para leitões desmamados: desempenho, digestibilidade e viabilidade econômica

Organic acids are used as feed additives to promote growth of weaned piglets since they prevent the occurrence of diarrhea. Thus, performance and digestibility assays were conducted and economic viability of diets was evaluated. In the performance assays, 64 hybrid piglets weaned with a mean weight of 5.87±0.31kg were divided in a randomized block design consisting of 4 treatments, 8 repetitions and 2 piglets per experimental unit (1 castrated male and 1 female). In the digestibility assay, 24 castrated male hybrid piglets with a mean weight of 8.21±0.79kg were individually assigned to 4 treatments and 6 repetitions. The treatments in the two assays were as follows: control, basal diet without addition of an acidifier; blend: inclusion of 0.5% of a mixture of organic acids; butyrate: inclusion of 0.1% of sodium butyrate; blend+butyrate: inclusion of 0.5% of a mixture of organic acids and 0.1% sodium butyrate. There was no effect (P>0.05) of the acidifiers on animal performance during the period studied. Organic acids exerted no effect (P>0.05) on the apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrients. Diets supplemented with sodium butyrate had an economic advantage for the period of 10-24 days. No episode of diarrhea was observed. This study demonstrated no effect of acidifier feed additives as growth promoters in complex diets for weaned piglets.(AU)

Ácidos orgânicos são utilizados como aditivos promotores de desempenho em leitões, pois podem prevenir a ocorrência de diarreias. Para tanto, foram conduzidos ensaios de desempenho, digestibilidade, e foi avaliada a viabilidade econômica das dietas. No desempenho, foram utilizados 64 leitões híbridos desmamados, com peso médio de 5,87±0,31kg, distribuídos em um delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos, oito repetições e dois leitões por unidade experimental (sendo um macho castrado e uma fêmea). Na digestibilidade, 24 leitões machos, castrados, híbridos, com peso médio de 8,21±0.79kg, foram alojados individualmente em quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. Em ambos os ensaios, os tratamentos foram: controle: dieta basal sem uso de acidificante; Blend: inclusão de 0,5% da mistura de ácidos orgânicos; butirato: inclusão de 0,1% de butirato de sódio; Blend+Butirato: inclusão de 0,5% da mistura de ácidos orgânicos e 0,1% butirato de sódio. Não houve efeito dos acidificantes (P>0,05) sobre o desempenho no período estudado. Não houve efeito dos ácidos orgânicos (P>0,05) sobre os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes. Dietas com suplementação de butirato de sódio apresentaram melhor vantagem econômica para o período de 10-24 dias. Não houve incidência de diarreia em nenhum período. Não ficou evidenciado o efeito dos aditivos acidificantes como promotores de crescimento em dietas complexas para leitões desmamados.(AU)

Organic acids in diets of weaned piglets: performance, digestibility and economical viability / Ácidos orgânicos em dietas para leitões desmamados: desempenho, digestibilidade e viabilidade econômica

Organic acids are used as feed additives to promote growth of weaned piglets since they prevent the occurrence of diarrhea. Thus, performance and digestibility assays were conducted and economic viability of diets was evaluated. In the performance assays, 64 hybrid piglets weaned with a mean weight of 5.87±0.31kg were divided in a randomized block design consisting of 4 treatments, 8 repetitions and 2 piglets per experimental unit (1 castrated male and 1 female). In the digestibility assay, 24 castrated male hybrid piglets with a mean weight of 8.21±0.79kg were individually assigned to 4 treatments and 6 repetitions. The treatments in the two assays were as follows: control, basal diet without addition of an acidifier; blend: inclusion of 0.5% of a mixture of organic acids; butyrate: inclusion of 0.1% of sodium butyrate; blend+butyrate: inclusion of 0.5% of a mixture of organic acids and 0.1% sodium butyrate. There was no effect (P>0.05) of the acidifiers on animal performance during the period studied. Organic acids exerted no effect (P>0.05) on the apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrients. Diets supplemented with sodium butyrate had an economic advantage for the period of 10-24 days. No episode of diarrhea was observed. This study demonstrated no effect of acidifier feed additives as growth promoters in complex diets for weaned piglets.(AU)

Ácidos orgânicos são utilizados como aditivos promotores de desempenho em leitões, pois podem prevenir a ocorrência de diarreias. Para tanto, foram conduzidos ensaios de desempenho, digestibilidade, e foi avaliada a viabilidade econômica das dietas. No desempenho, foram utilizados 64 leitões híbridos desmamados, com peso médio de 5,87±0,31kg, distribuídos em um delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos, oito repetições e dois leitões por unidade experimental (sendo um macho castrado e uma fêmea). Na digestibilidade, 24 leitões machos, castrados, híbridos, com peso médio de 8,21±0.79kg, foram alojados individualmente em quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. Em ambos os ensaios, os tratamentos foram: controle: dieta basal sem uso de acidificante; Blend: inclusão de 0,5% da mistura de ácidos orgânicos; butirato: inclusão de 0,1% de butirato de sódio; Blend+Butirato: inclusão de 0,5% da mistura de ácidos orgânicos e 0,1% butirato de sódio. Não houve efeito dos acidificantes (P>0,05) sobre o desempenho no período estudado. Não houve efeito dos ácidos orgânicos (P>0,05) sobre os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes. Dietas com suplementação de butirato de sódio apresentaram melhor vantagem econômica para o período de 10-24 dias. Não houve incidência de diarreia em nenhum período. Não ficou evidenciado o efeito dos aditivos acidificantes como promotores de crescimento em dietas complexas para leitões desmamados.(AU)

Ileal Amino Acid Digestibility of Broken Rice Fed to Postweaned Piglets with or without Multicarbohydrase and Phytase Supplementation.

Most of amino acid (AA) digestibility values for feed ingredients are obtained using pigs cannulated in the distal ileum. The ileal-cannulated pig model uses pigs older than six weeks due to difficulties related to implanting the T-cannula in distal ileum of younger pigs and complications during the post-surgical recovery. However, to properly formulate the diet of weaned pigs, the nutritive value of feed ingredients should be determined with younger pigs. Thus, 25 weaned pigs were used to determine the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, energy, and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) ileal AA digestibility of broken rice (BR), with or without multicarbohydrase (MC) and phytase (Phy) supplementation. Piglets were weaned at 23 d of age and individually housed in digestibility cages until 45 d of age. The trial consisted of 7 d of adaptation to the experimental diets and 3 d of excreta (feces and urine) collection. Ileal digesta was collected at slaughter (about 6 weeks of age). A completely randomized experimental design was used to determine the effects of MC and Phy. Reference diets (RD, 5% casein) was replaced by 30% of BR with or without MC, Phy, or MC+Phy. The RD was used to quantify endogenous AA losses. BR with Phy supplied had increased the ATTD of dry matter (p<0.05) and SID of histidine (p = 0.05), arginine, leucine, lysine, valine, alanine, and proline (p<0.05). BR with MC had been increased digestible energy and protein and SID for histidine (p<0.05). There was no interaction between Phy and MC on the BR nutrient digestibilities. Standardized amino acid digestibilities of BR, without enzymes, were lower than those values reported in the literature. The MC and Phy improved the digestibility of some nutrients and energy of BR in post-weaned piglet diets.

Comparison between linear and nonlinear systems of feed formulation for broilers

Two experiments were simultaneously carried out to compare feed formulation models: a linear model for minimum cost with a nonlinear model for maximum profitability for one-to 42-d-old broilers. One-d-old male or female Cobb 500 broilers (n=2368) were allocated to one of the two trials according to sex. The experiments were performed simultaneously in an experimental poultry farm. Two housing densities were used: high density (HDH), with 14 birds/m2, and low density (LDH), with 10 birds/m2. The following treatments were evaluated: linear feed formulation and LDH (LF10); nonlinear formulation and LDH (NF10); linear formulation and HDH (LF14); and nonlinear formulation and HDH (NF14). A completely randomized design with four treatments of eight replicates each was applied. Performance and cost per kg of poultry were evaluated. Both formulation systems promoted similar broiler performance. However, the high-density feed using linear formulation reduced body weight in 42-d-old males, but not when nonlinear formulation was used. The NF10 treatment yielded the worst feed conversion ratio (p 0.05) and the lowest cost/kg broiler (p 0.05) for both sexes. The results demonstrate that the nutritional program that yields the best performance is not always the most economical one.(AU)

Comparison between linear and nonlinear systems of feed formulation for broilers

Two experiments were simultaneously carried out to compare feed formulation models: a linear model for minimum cost with a nonlinear model for maximum profitability for one-to 42-d-old broilers. One-d-old male or female Cobb 500 broilers (n=2368) were allocated to one of the two trials according to sex. The experiments were performed simultaneously in an experimental poultry farm. Two housing densities were used: high density (HDH), with 14 birds/m2, and low density (LDH), with 10 birds/m2. The following treatments were evaluated: linear feed formulation and LDH (LF10); nonlinear formulation and LDH (NF10); linear formulation and HDH (LF14); and nonlinear formulation and HDH (NF14). A completely randomized design with four treatments of eight replicates each was applied. Performance and cost per kg of poultry were evaluated. Both formulation systems promoted similar broiler performance. However, the high-density feed using linear formulation reduced body weight in 42-d-old males, but not when nonlinear formulation was used. The NF10 treatment yielded the worst feed conversion ratio (p 0.05) and the lowest cost/kg broiler (p 0.05) for both sexes. The results demonstrate that the nutritional program that yields the best performance is not always the most economical one.