Potential use of beta-mannan from copra meal as a feed additive for broilers

Copra Meal: A Review of Its Production, Properties, and Prospects

Copra meal, the byproduct of coconut oil production, has been widely available at low cost but has been underutilized, with huge portions still becoming waste. Extensive research on different species have been performed to improve its use as an alternative feed ingredient, aiming to reduce the impact of fluctuating feed prices in some parts of the world where coconut is a major commodity. As for any biological product, the physical and chemical properties of copra meal play a crucial role in its use and limitations. In the case of copra meal, studies have found that additional treatments are needed to improve its nutritional composition and make it readily and efficiently available for ruminant and monogastric animals, poultry, and aquaculture applications. This paper presents a summary of up-to-date information on the physical and chemical characteristics of the product, as well as discussions on the various methods employed to improve and optimize its biological value as animal feed. There have been limited studies that have explored other effective and economical means of utilizing copra meal outside the livestock and feed industry. Hence, this paper also aims to provide a lens on future prospects and diverse applications involving copra meal, as well as to present the gaps and challenges that have to be addressed to maximize its product value and biological potential.

Evaluation of the effect of β-mannanase supplementation and mannans on nursery pig growth performance and serum acute-phase protein concentrations

The objective was to evaluate the effects of dietary mannan and β-mannanase supplementation on growth performance and serum acute-phase proteins in nursery pigs. Pigs (n = 480) were blocked by initial body weight (6.6 ± 0.4 kg), and 12 pens per treatment were randomly assigned to one of four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement for 28 d. Two levels of dietary mannan (0.4% vs. 2.8%) were offered with and without 0.05% endo-1,4-β-mannanase. Serum was collected (one pig per pen) for haptoglobin and C-reactive protein (CRP) analysis on days 0 and 28. There were no significant interactions between mannan level and β-mannanase supplementation. High-mannan diet decreased average daily gain (P = 0.027) and average daily feed intake (P = 0.024) compared with low-mannan diets with no effect of β-mannanase (P > 0.10). Haptoglobin and CRP were not affected by mannan level or β-mannanase supplementation (P ≥ 0.160). Therefore, dietary β-mannans as high as 2.8% did not induce a systemic innate immune response. Thus, the levels of β-mannan found in practical diets (<2%) are unlikely to induce an immune response; therefore, supplementation of β-mannanase to avoid this response is not warranted.

Effects of enzyme products in the diet on growth, dressing-out percent and organ weights of light pigs fed copra-meal-based diets

The effect of different enzyme products on the utilisation of high copra meal (CPM)-based diets by growing pigs was investigated in two experiments (1 and 2). Four diets containing 0, 150, 300 and 450 g CPM/kg were fed in Experiment 1. Feed intake and bodyweight gain were depressed (P < 0.05) above 150 g/kg inclusion but final bodyweight was maintained (P > 0.05) up to 300 g/kg dietary CPM. Dressing percentage improved (P < 0.05) on 150 compared with the control and 450 g/kg diets. In Experiment 2, four diets based on 300 g CPM/kg unsupplemented/supplemented with Allzyme, β-mannanase or their combinations were fed. Feed intake reduced on the control compared with Allzyme supplementation (P < 0.05). Bodyweight gain was improved with Allzyme supplementation. Pigs fed diets supplemented with Allzyme and mannanase converted their feed into weight better (P < 0.05). Growth rates decreased when CPM was included in the diet at levels greater than 150 g/kg, but at 300 g/kg the decrease in growth rate was much less when supplemented with Allzyme or β-mannanase.