Effect of the addition of β-mannanase on the performance, metabolizable energy, amino acid digestibility coefficients, and immune functions of broilers fed different nutritional levels

Analysis of the effects of β-mannanase on immune function and intestinal flora in broilers fed the low energy diet based on 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomic sequencing

As an enzyme, β-mannanase (BM) can be widely used as feed additive to improve the growth performance of animals. This experiment aimed to determine the effect of the addition of BM to low-energy diet on the immune function and intestinal microflora of broiler chickens. In this study, 384 one-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into 3 groups (8 replicates per group): positive control (PC, received a corn-soybean meal basal diet), negative control (NC, received a low-energy diet with Metabolizable Energy (ME) reduced by 50 kcal/kg) and NC + BM group (NC birds + 100 mg/kg BM). All birds were raised for 42 d. The results showed that BM mitigated the damage of immune function in peripheral blood of broilers caused by the decrease of dietary energy level by increasing the Concanavalin A (Con A) index of stimulation (SI) and macrophages phagocytic activity in the peripheral blood of broilers at 42 d (P < 0.05). The analysis of cecum flora showed that the low-energy diet significantly reduced the observed_species index (P < 0.01), Chao1 index and ACE index (P < 0.05), which reduced the abundance and evenness of species in the cecum of broilers at 21 d. It also significantly reduced the relative abundance of Candidatus_Arthromitus and significantly increased the relative abundance of Pseudomonas in the cecum of broilers at 21 d, while also significantly increasing the relative abundance of Monoglobus at 42 d. BM significantly increased the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae_UCG-001 and Lachnospiraceae_bacterium_615 in the cecum of broilers at 21 d. In addition, BM inhibited microbial Fatty acid degradation by decreasing the activity of glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase. Collectively, BM could improve intestinal health by enhancing the immune function of broilers, promoting the proliferation of beneficial bacteria and reducing the number of harmful bacteria, regulating intestinal flora, thereby alleviating the adverse effects of lower dietary energy levels.

Metabolizable Energy and Amino Acid Digestibility of Soybean Meal from Different Sources for Broiler Chickens Supplemented with Protease

This study investigated the effect of the serine protease on metabolizable energy and amino acids' digestibility of different soybean meal for broilers. A total of 684 broilers chickens form 14 to 23 d age were distributed with nineteen treatments, six replicates, and six birds per replicate. Nine samples of soybean meal from different regions in Brazil were used, with some samples supplemented with the protease enzyme and others without addition. Apparent and corrected-for-nitrogen-balance metabolizable energy were evaluated, as well as the coefficients of amino acid digestibility. All collected data were submitted to ANOVA at a significance level of 5% and Tukey's test was applied. The results showed that the addition of the protease enzyme significantly increased the values of AME and AMEn in all soybean meal samples. The soybean meal of different origins has significant variations in AME and AMEn. The addition of the protease improved the digestibility of essential amino acids compared to soybean meal without enzyme addition. These results indicate that supplementation with serine protease can improve the metabolizable energy and amino acid digestibility of soybean meal from different regions in the diet of broilers, potentially being an effective strategy to enhance nutrient utilization and animal performance.

Mannanase improves the growth performance of broilers by alleviating inflammation of the intestinal epithelium and improving intestinal microbiota

This experiment aimed to discuss and reveal the effect and mechanism of mannanase on intestinal inflammation in broilers triggered by a soybean meal diet. In this experiment, 384 Arbor Acres broilers at 1 d old were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups. The broilers were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet, a low-energy diet (metabolizable energy reduced by 50 kcal/kg), and a low-energy diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg mannanase for 42 d. The low-energy diet increased feed conversion ratio from 0 to 42 d, reduced ileal villus height and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio and upregulated the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in the ileum (P < 0.05). It also reduced cecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), such as acetic acid (P < 0.05). Compared with low-energy diets, the addition of mannanase increased body weight at 42 d, promoted the digestibility of nutrients, and maintained the morphology and integrity of the intestinal epithelium of broilers (P < 0.05). In addition, mannanase upregulated the expression of claudin-1 (CLDN1) and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in the jejunum at 21 d, downregulated the expression of ileal NF-κB, and increased the content of isobutyric acid in the cecum of broilers (P < 0.05). The results for the ileal microbiota showed that a low-energy diet led to a decrease in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus reuteri in the ileum of broilers. The addition of mannanase increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus-KC45b and Lactobacillus johnsonii in broilers. Furthermore, a low-energy diet reduced the relative abundance of Butyricicoccus in the intestine of broilers and inhibited oxidative phosphorylation and phosphoinositol metabolism. Mannanase increased the relative abundance of Odoribacter, promoted energy metabolism and N-glycan biosynthesis, and increased the activities of GH3 and GH18. It is concluded that mannanase could improve the growth performance of broilers by reducing the expression of NF-κB in the ileum, increasing the production of SCFA in the cecum, suppressing intestinal inflammation, balancing the intestinal microbiota, reducing damage to the intestinal barrier, and improving the efficiency of nutrient utilization to alleviate the adverse effects caused by the decrease in dietary energy level.

Compound non-starch polysaccharide enzymes improve growth performance, slaughter performance, immune function, and apparent utilization rate of nutrients in broiler chickens fed a low-metabolizable energy diet

This study aimed to investigate the effects of compound non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) enzymes on growth performance, slaughter performance, immune function, and apparent utilization of nutrients in broiler chickens fed a low-metabolizable energy diet. A total of 240 healthy 1-day-old AA broilers (Arbor Acres, 47.2 ± 0.31 g) were randomly divided into four treatment groups, each with six replicate groups and 10 broilers per replicate. The control group was fed a basal diet; the EL-H group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg compound NSP enzyme, including β-mannanase 5,000 IU/g, β-glucanase 2000 IU/g, xylanase 10,000 IU/g, and cellulase 500 IU/g. The EL-M group was fed the basal diet with 50 kcal/kg metabolizable energy removed, supplemented with 200 mg/kg compound NSP enzyme. Finally, the EL-L group was fed the basal diet with 100 kcal/kg metabolizable energy removed, supplemented with 200 mg/kg compound NSP enzyme. The results showed that feeding with a low-metabolizable energy diet supplemented with compound NSP enzymes did not significantly affect the growth performance of broilers (p > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the abdominal fat rate of broilers in the EL-L group was significantly reduced, and that of broilers in the EL-M group was significantly increased (p < 0.05). Apparent utilization of dry matter, crude protein, and energy in the diet was lower in the control group than in the EL-L group, but significantly higher in the control group than in the EL-H group (p < 0.05). In addition, apparent utilization of crude fiber was significantly increased in the EL-H, EL-M, and EL-L groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this experiment showed that the addition of 200 mg/kg compound NSP enzyme enabled maintenance of the normal growth and development of broiler chickens fed a low-metabolizable energy diet (replacing 50-100 kcal/kg metabolizable energy). This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of the compound NSP enzyme in broiler chickens.

Effects of nonantibiotic growth promoter combinations on growth performance, nutrient utilization, digestive enzymes, intestinal morphology, and cecal microflora of broilers

Given the ban on antibiotic growth promoters, the effects of nonantibiotic alternative growth promoter combinations (NAGPCs) on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, digestive enzyme activity, intestinal morphology, and cecal microflora of broilers were evaluated. All birds were fed pellets of two basal diets-starter (0-21 d) and grower (22-42 d)-with either enramycin (ENR) or NAGPC supplemented. 1) control + ENR; 2) control diet (CON, basal diet); 3) control + mannose oligosaccharide (MOS) + mannanase (MAN) + sodium butyrate (SB) (MMS); 4) control + MOS + MAN + Bacillus subtilis (BS) (MMB); 5) control + MOS + fruit oligosaccharide (FOS) + SB (MFS); 6) control + FOS + BS (MFB); 7) control + MOS + FOS + MAN (MFM); 8) control + MOS + BS + phytase (PT) (MBP). ENR, MOS, FOS, SB, MAN, PT, and BS were added at 100, 2,000, 9,000, 1,500, 300, 37, and 500 mg/kg, respectively. The experiment used a completely random block design with six replicates per group: 2400 Ross 308 broilers in the starter phase and 768 in the grower phase. All NAGPCs significantly improved body weight gain (P < 0.01), utilization of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein (P < 0.05), villus height and villus height/crypt depth in the jejunum and ileum (P < 0.01), and decreased the feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01) at d 21 and 42. MMS, MMB, MFB, and MFM duodenum trypsin, lipase, and amylase activities increased significantly (P < 0.05) at d 21 and 42. On d 21 and 42, MMS, MMB, and MBP increased the abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroides whereas MMB, MFB, and MBP decreased the abundance of Proteobacteria, compared to ENR and CON. Overall, the NAGPCs were found to have some beneficial effects and may be used as effective antibiotic replacements in broilers.

Effect of dietary β-mannanase supplementation on growth performance, digestibility, and gene expression levels of Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus) fingerlings fed a plant protein-rich diet

The aim of this study was to assess possible beneficial effects of dietary β-mannanase supplementation on the nutrient digestibility, growth performance, digestive and metabolic enzyme activity, and immune response of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fed plant protein-rich diets. An experiment was conducted in triplicate, and a total of 225 fingerlings of common carp with an average body weight of 13.17 ± 0.12 g were stocked in 15 fiberglass tanks (15 fish/tank). Five dietary treatments (control 35% crude protein, plant-rich basal diet without supplement and four diets supplemented with β-mannanase from two sources (commercially available and locally isolated), each at two dosage levels (500 and 1,000 U/kg diet) were prepared and fed to respective groups of fish, twice a day (8:00 AM and 4:00 PM) at 4 % body weight. During the trial, changes in the level of DO and temperature ranged from 5.5 to 6.1 mg L-1 and 21.5 to 23.5°C, respectively. At the end of the feeding experiment, all fish in each tank were weighed and counted to determine growth parameters, while for the study of other indices, nine samples/treatment group were selected. The results of the study indicated a positive effect of both sources and dosage levels of β-mannanase supplementation on all studied indices, that is, significantly improved (P < 0.05), growth performance (%weight gain, specific growth rate), survival %, hematological indices (RBC, Hb, HCT, and MCHC), immunological indices (lysozyme activity, WBC, respiratory burst activity, and phagocytic activity), improved apparent digestibility of nutrients (crude protein, crude fat, and carbohydrates), and digestible energy. Furthermore, higher activity (P < 0.05) of the digestive enzymes (cellulase, lipase, and protease) and upregulation of MyoD gene in muscle and TNF-α gene in liver, intestine, and muscle were also observed, while the activity of serum AST (serum aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine transaminase) as compared to control group was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Based on the results, β-mannanase supplementation (500 U/kg) could be recommended for obtaining better carp production when low-cost plant protein-rich diets are used.

Effect of dietary β-Mannanase addition on performance, pododermatitis, and intestinal morphology as well as digesta Clostridium perfringens in broiler chickens: a pilot study

This preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the effects of β-mannanase in diets of broilers on performance, pododermatitis, intestinal morphology, and digesta Clostridium perfringens counts. A total of 264 broilers (Ross 308) were randomly allotted to four treatments. A wheat-soybean based diet (CO) was supplemented with either 0.15 g xylanase/kg (XY), 0.15 g xylanase/kg + 110 mL β-mannanase/ton (MA1) or 0.15 g xylanase/kg + 220 mL β-mannanase/ton (MA2). At the end of the experiment, only significant differences in body weight were noted between groups fed MA1 and MA2 diets (2501 g vs 2641 g, respectively). Birds fed MA1 had significantly the lowest pododermatitis scores (2.26) compared to other groups. Ileal villus height measurements revealed that birds fed CO and MA2 diets had significantly higher values (1614 and 1651 µm, respectively) than those fed the MA1 diet (1489 µm). The positive percent of Clostridium perfringens in intestinal digesta at d 36 was significantly the highest in the XY group. Overall, although not improving performance, supplementing the diet with β-mannanase (110 mL/ton) contributed positively to foot pad health.

The role of feed enzymes in maintaining poultry intestinal health

Gut health or intestinal health is frequently discussed without any clear definition as to its meaning. It is suggested that this should be defined as intestinal integrity and functionality as both are a pre-requisite for the health of the intestine itself and the host. The health of the intestine is dependent upon a successful evolution of the absorptive capacity of the intestine, which in turn is influenced by the co-evolution of the intestinal immune systems and the microbiota. Nutrient supply plays a significant role in this process and from the perspective of the microbiota this changes with age as the intestines and upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiota become more effective in nutrient removal. Feed enzymes play a significant role in this process. Phytases can improve digestion of minerals, amino acids and energy and as a result reduce the availability of nutrients in the lower intestines for the microbiota. Protease can have a similar effect with amino acid supply. Non-starch polysaccharidases (NSPases) have a unique role in that they not only improve diet digestibility from the hosts perspective, thus limiting nutrient supply to the microbiota, but they also release soluble fragments of fibre from the insoluble matrix and/or depolymerize high molecular weight viscous fibre fractions in to smaller, more fermentable carbohydrate fractions. This results in a more favourable balance between fermentable carbohydrate to protein supply, a ratio which is deemed critical to maintaining good intestinal health. The dynamic nature of this complex evolution needs greater consideration if antibiotic free production is to succeed. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

β-Mannanase Supplementation as an Eco-Friendly Feed Strategy to Reduce the Environmental Impacts of Pig and Poultry Feeding Programs

Little is still known about the environmental impacts of exogenous enzyme supplementation in pig and poultry feeding programs. Thus, this study aimed to assess the potential environmental impacts of producing feeds for pigs and broilers by simulating the effects of β-mannanase Hemicell™ HT supplementation through energy savings during diet formulation. Life-cycle assessment standards were applied to simulate a cradle-to-feed mill gate scope. The functional units used were the production of 1 kg of the enzyme and 1 kg of feed at a feed mill gate located in Concórdia, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Climate change, eutrophication, and acidification were the chosen environmental impact categories. Energy savings through β-mannanase supplementation were assessed by different metabolizable energy (ME) matrices (45 or 90 kcal of ME/kg of feed) during diet formulation in different grain production scenarios (Southern and/or Central-West origin). A total of 28 feeds were formulated based on the nutritional requirements and feeding programs described in the Brazilian Tables for Poultry and Swine. The least-cost formulation method was used based on real price averages practiced in a local industry over 12 months. The production of 1 kg of β-mannanase was associated with the emission of 1,800 g of CO₂-eq, 4.53 g of PO₄-eq, and 7.89 g of SO₂-eq. For pig feeds, β-mannanase supplementation mitigated both climate change and eutrophication impacts up to 8.5 and 1.4% (45 kcal of ME/kg of feed) or up to 16.2 and 2.7% (90 kcal of ME/kg of feed) compared to control diets formulated without the enzyme. For broiler feeds, these impacts were mitigated up to 5.6 and 1.1% (45 kcal of ME/kg of feed), respectively. On the other hand, the effect of using β-mannanase on the acidification impact was not consistent among feeds/species. Overall, β-mannanase supplementation reduced the amount of soybean oil in feed formulas, which is associated with high environmental impacts. Consequently, the potential impacts of climate change and eutrophication associated with producing feeds for pigs and broilers were substantially mitigated. These results suggest that β-mannanase supplementation is an eco-friendly feed strategy to reduce the environmental impacts of pig and poultry feeding programs.

Significance of single β-mannanase supplementation on performance and energy utilization in broiler chickens, laying hens, turkeys, sows, and nursery-finish pigs: a meta-analysis and systematic review

This review will give a brief description of β-mannans, abundance in feedstuffs, utility of supplemental feed β-mannanase, and subsequent animal responses. Soybean products and co-products of processing palm, coconut, and guar seeds are the major sources of β-mannans in poultry and livestock feed. β-Mannans are linear polymers of mannose residues linked by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds and their ingestion elicit undesirable and metabolically costly responses. Web of Science was searched to retrieve published studies for meta-analyses of the impact of supplemental β-mannanase on performance and digestibility in pigs and poultry. The mean difference (MD) between β-mannanase and control on average daily gain (g/d) was +0.23 (P = 0.013; 95% CI of 0.05; 0.41), +10.8 g/d (P = 0.0005; 95% CI of 6.6; 15.0 g/d), and +20.68 (P < 0.000; 95% CI of 17.15; 24.20 g/d) for broiler chickens, nursery pigs, and grow-finish pigs, respectively. The MD on β-mannanase improvement on feed conversion (FCR) was -0.02 (P < 0.0001) with 95% CI (-0.03; -0.02) suggesting a 2-to-3-point FCR improvement in broiler chickens. β-Mannanase improvement on gain to feed (G:F) was +13.8 g/kg (P = 0.027; 2.1; 25.4 g/kg) and +8.77 g/kg (6.32; 11.23 g/kg) in nursery and grow-finish pigs, respectively. β-Mannanase improved apparent metabolizable energy by 47 kcal/kg (P = 0.0004) with 95% CI (28.8; 65.7 kcal/kg) in broiler chickens. The improvement of gross energy digestibility in pigs was 1.08% unit with 95% CI (0.90; 1.26) translating to the release of between 30.6 and 42.8 kcal/kg of digestible energy. Although data were limited, β-mannanase improved egg production in laying hens linked to improved energy metabolism in laying hens linked to improved energy metabolism but had no impact on egg quality. Turkeys may be more adversely affected by β-mannans because of the high protein/amino acids requirements necessitating higher dietary inclusion of soybean meal. However, growth performance and feed efficiency responses of turkeys fed diets supplemented with β-mannanase were variable. In summary, β-mannanase supplementation improved performance linked to energy and nutrient utilization. However, the magnitude of response was variable within and between species indicating further application refinement is warranted to achieve consistent efficacy, and improved understanding of the functional contribution of β-mannans hydrolysis products.

Growth performance and carcass yield of broiler chickens in response to carbohydrases and its association with phytase

ABSTRACT An experiment was conducted to evaluate broiler chicken performance and carcass yield in response to carbohydrase supplementation (Xylanase and Betaglucanase; XB) and association of carbohydrase and phytase (PHY). A total of 1,920 day-old male broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were distributed in a completely randomized design with 8 treatments and 8 replicates each, allocated in 64 pens with 30 chicks each. The treatments were: Positive Control (PC); Negative Control (NC): reduced ME [-120kcal/kg (Starter) and -170kcal/kg (Finisher)]; NC + XB [50g/ton]; NC + XB [100g/ton]; NC + XB [150g/ton]; NC + XB [50g/ton] + PHY [100g/ton]; NC + XB [100g/ton] + PHY [100g/ton]; NC + XB [150g/ton] + PHY [100g/ton]. The inclusion of XB (150) and XB (50, 100, and 150) associated with phytase increased feed intake than positive control when considering the total rearing phase. The feed conversion ratio of all broilers fed diets with energy reduction were worse than positive control, even with the addition of enzymes, and did not differ between them. There was no significant effect of treatments on carcass parameters.

Inclusion of dietary β-mannanase improves performance and ileal digestibility and reduces ileal digesta viscosity of broilers fed corn-soybean meal based diet

This study was aimed to evaluate the influence of dietary β-mannanase inclusion on growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility, digesta viscosity, blood metabolites and excreta noxious gas emissions in broilers fed corn-soybean meal based diet. A total of 600 conventional healthy 1-d-old ROSS 308 broilers with body weight 45 ± 0.50 g (mean ± SD) were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments with 10 replicates cages, with 15 broilers in each and fed basal diet supplemented to corn-SBM based diets with 0, 2400, 4800, and 7200 MNU β-mannanase/kg for 35 d feeding trial period. Significant results were observed on improved average daily gain and reduced feed conversion ratio during trial period and also reduced ileal digesta viscosity and improved apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and energy. However, no significant effects were found on blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, excreta noxious gas emissions. In conclusion, the inclusion of dietary β-mannanase had potential to improve daily gain and feed efficiency and apparent ileal digestibility while decreasing digesta viscosity of broiler.

Effects of dietary β-mannanase supplementation on the additivity of true metabolizable energy values for broiler diets

Objective

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietary β-mannanase on the additivity of true metabolizable energy (TME) and nitrogen-corrected true metabolizable energy (TME_n) for broiler diets.

Methods

A total of 144 21-day-old broilers were randomly allotted to 12 dietary treatments with 6 replicates. Five treatments consisted of 5 ingredients of corn, wheat, soybean meal, corn distillers dried grains with solubles, or corn gluten meal. One mixed diet containing 200 g/kg of those 5 ingredients also was prepared. Additional 6 treatments were prepared by mixing 0.5 g/kg dietary β-mannanase with those 5 ingredients and the mixed diet. Based on a precision-fed chicken assay, TME and TME_n values for 5 ingredients and the mixed diet as affected by dietary β-mannanase were determined.

Results

Results indicated that when β-mannanase was not added to the diet, measured TME and TME_n values for the diet did not differ from the predicted values for the diet, which validated the additivity. However, for the diet containing β-mannanase, measured TME_n value was greater (p<0.05) than predicted TME_n value, indicating that the additivity was not validated.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the additivity of energy values for the mixed diet may not be guaranteed if the diet contains β-mannanase.

Exogenous β-mannanase improves feed conversion efficiency and reduces somatic cell count in dairy cattle

Exogenous fibrolytic enzymes have been shown to be a promising way to improve feed conversion efficiency (FCE). β-Mannanase is an important enzyme digesting the polysaccharide β-mannan in hemicellulose. Supplementation of diets with β-mannanase to improve FCE has been more extensively studied in nonruminants than in ruminants. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of β-mannanase supplementation on nutrient digestibility, FCE, and nitrogen utilization in lactating Holstein dairy cows. Twelve post-peak-lactation multiparous Holstein cows producing 45.5±6.6kg/d of milk at 116±19.0d in milk were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 treatments in a 3×3 Latin square design with 3 periods of 18d (15d for adaptation plus 3d for sample collection). All cows were fed the same basal diet and the 3 treatments differed only by the β-mannanase dose: 0% dry matter (DM; control), 0.1% of DM (low supplement, LS), and 0.2% of DM (high supplement, HS) supplemented to the basal diet. Supplementation of β-mannanase enzyme at the LS dose reduced dry matter intake (DMI) but did not affect milk yield or milk composition. Cows receiving LS produced 90g more milk per kg of DMI compared with control cows. Somatic cell count (SCC) in milk was lower for cows fed the LS diet compared with cows fed control diets. Cows fed LS diet had lower DM, organic matter and crude protein digestibility compared with cows fed control diets. Starch, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber digestibility were not affected by LS. Milk yield, DMI, SCC, and nutrient digestibility did not change for HS. Despite the reduced crude protein digestibility, reduced N intake led to similar fecal N excretions in LS cows and control cows (234 vs. 235g/cow per day). Urinary N excretions remained similar between enzyme-fed and control cows (~190g/cow per day), although the percentage of N intake partitioned to urinary N tended to be greater in LS than in control cows (31 vs. 27%). Cows fed LS significantly improved the percentage of apparently absorbed N partitioned to milk protein N (42 vs. 38%). When supplemented at 0.1% of dietary DM, β-mannanase can improve FCE and lower the SCC of dairy cows without affecting milk yield, milk composition, or total manure N excretions of dairy cows.