Using Enzymes to Improve Performance of Corn-Soybean Meal Diets

The effects of a mixture of enzymes (cellulase, hemicellulase and pectinase) and a commercial enzyme (Energex) were evaluated in corn-soybean meal broiler diets. Seven replicates of male broiler chicks fed three treatments from 12 to 15 days of age. The boilers fed the commercial enzyme treatment gained significantly more weight, and the mixed enzyme treatment tended to gain more than the group of broilers fed the control treatment. Since feed intakes were similar for the three treatments, the improved feed conversion reflected the treatment’s chick gains. The researchers reported that the combination of enzymes improved organic matter and crude protein digestibilities and carcass yield of broilers fed a corn-soybean meal diet. This study indicates that the right combination of enzymes may be useful in improving the digestibilities of practical broiler diets.

Saleh, F. and co-workers. 2005. A mixture of pure cellulase, hemicellulase and pectinase improves broiler performance. Br. Poultry Sci. 46(5): 602-606.