Enzyme Treatment of Soybean Meal

Researchers in Australia studied the effects of two enzyme products on the nutritional value of soybean meal. One enzyme product was a commercial product that contained hemicelluase, pectinase, beta-glucanase and some protease activity, and the other enzyme was an experimental product with mainly beta-galactanase activity. The enzymes were included in a semi-purified corn-soybean meal diet at the recommended level and five times the recommended level. The enzymes had no effect on the digesta viscosity in the jejunum or ileum. The researchers concluded that the enzymes with galactanase and pectinase activity improved the digestibility of the non-starch polysaccharides and metabolizable energy content of diets containing high levels of soybean meal. However, high levels of enzymes with beta-galactanase activity significantly reduced protein digestibility without measurable effect on growth performance.

Kocher, A. and co-workers. 2002. Effects of feed enzymes on nutritive value of soybean meal fed to broilers. Br. J. Poultry Sci. 43(1):54-63.