Pig, poultry enzyme growth promoter research, JAM 2016

Andrea Gantz

Researchers will present the findings of two industry-sponsored studies

Researchers will present the findings of two industry-sponsored studies on the use of enzymes as growth promoters in pigs and poultry at the American Society of Animal Science and American Dairy Science Association Joint Annual Meeting (JAM), which will be held July 19 - 23, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Since the EU banned antibiotic growth promoters in 2006, researchers have been searching for alternatives. There are many products sold for pigs and poultry that are marketed to improve health and performance. Their aim is to also reduce the need for antibiotics, saving producers money and contributing to lower usage targets. Modes of action include supporting immunity and improving gut health, as well as having direct antimicrobial action.

BioResource International, Inc. (BRI), a global biotechnology company specializing in the research, development and manufacture of enzyme feed additives for optimizing animal nutrition and gut health, announced that the findings of two research studies using its xylanase feed additive Xylamax and market-leading protease feed additive Versazyme in broiler chicks and nursery pigs will be presented.

The first study, “Effects of xylanase and protease on gut health and growth performance of newly hatched broiler chickens,” was conducted in collaboration with research partners from North Carolina State University’s Department of Animal Science, including M. P. Herchler, L. Zheng, and Sung Woo Kim. Study findings will be presented on Wednesday, July 20 at 10:45 a.m. inside Grand Ballroom F. Results from the 28-day study showed that the xylanase and protease enzymes benefited the gut health of the broilers by decreasing digesta viscosity, enhancing gut morphology, decreasing gut oxidative stress and increasing nutrient digestibility.

“As consumer and retailer sentiment continues to put pressure on the use of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry and swine production, it is important to find alternative solutions to maintain gut health and ensure proper growth and development,” said Giles Shih, chief executive officer of BRI, in a press release. “These research results reinforce the positive impact xylanase and protease enzyme feed additives can have on poultry health and nutrition.”

Results from the second research study, “Efficacy of dietary supplementation of protease and xylanase in plant-based diets on growth performance and health of nursery pigs at 6 to 9 week of age,” will be presented on Wednesday, July 20, from 7:15 to 8:15 a.m. Conducted in collaboration with I. Park, H. Chen and Sung Woo Kim, animal science research partners at North Carolina State University, the study’s results found that diets supplemented with xylanase and those supplemented with both xylanase and protease improved growth in nursery pigs while reducing systemic inflammatory response.