Influences of Enzyme Blend Supplementation on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Fecal Microbiota and Meat-Quality in Grower-Finisher Pigs

Abstract

The study was aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of an enzyme blend on growth performance, apparent total track digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), gross energy (GE), fecal microbial population, noxious gas emissions and meat quality of pigs fed corn–soybean meal-based diets for a 16-week feeding trial. A total of 180 growing pigs (body weight of 23.3 ± 2.51 kg) were used and randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments (positive control (PC, basal diet); negative control (NC, −150 kcal/kg of PC); A1 (NC + 1% enzyme blend)). Overall, dietary inclusion of the enzyme blend increased (p < 0.05) body weight, average daily gain and gain:feed ratio without effecting average daily feed intake. An increase was observed in ATTD of DM (p = 0.027) and GE (p = 0.026) at week 16 and 6, respectively. Dietary inclusion of the enzyme blend increased the beneficial effects on fecal microbiota counts such as Lactobacillus with a reduced presence of E. coli during the entire experiment (p < 0.05). Further, positive effects (p < 0.05) were observed on back-fat thickness and carcass weight of pigs, along with the results of reduced levels of NH3 emissions (p = 0.032) at week 16. Thus, the study suggested that the dietary enzyme blend supplement had improving effects on growth performance, ATTD of nutrients, fecal microbial counts and meat quality in pigs.

Supplemental Impact of Marine Red Seaweed (Halymenia palmata) on the Growth Performance, Total Tract Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Profiles, Intestine Histomorphology, Meat Quality, Fecal Gas Emission, and Microbial Counts in Broilers

“…During a recent study, Balasubramanian [ 35 ] demonstrated that gut health is a major factor regulating bird growth performance and, hence, affects the economics of poultry production. It also was noted that the intestinal microflora profile plays an important role in gut health.…”

Effects of Dietary Protein Levels on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Serum Metabolites, and Meat Composition of Tibetan Sheep during the Cold Season on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

“…Recent studies had showed that dietary nutrient level was closely related to the growth performance of livestock [19][20][21]. Besides, it is reported that the proportion of concentrate to forage could also affect the BW, ADG, and F/G of calves and Tibetan sheep [16,22,23].…”

Strategies for reducing noxious gas emissions in pig production: a comprehensive review on the role of feed additives

“…Cho and Kim [ 52 ] and Upadhaya et al [ 55 ] observed that the addition of β-mannanase to pig diets did not significantly alter the emission of harmful gases, suggesting that the effectiveness of specific enzymes can vary. Previous studies showed that enzymes like protease and lipase, as well as blends of multiple enzymes (including glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger , alpha-amylase from Bacillus stearothermophilus , lipase, maltase, and cellulase), can reduce fecal ammonia emissions [ 12 , 56 , 57 ]. However, these enzymes were less effective in altering emissions of hydrogen sulfide and total mercaptans.…”

“…Previous studies showed that enzymes like protease and lipase, as well as blends of multiple enzymes (including glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger, alpha-amylase from Bacillus stearothermophilus, lipase, maltase, and cellulase), can reduce fecal ammonia emissions [12,56,57]. However, these enzymes were less effective in altering emissions of hydrogen sulfide and total mercaptans.…”

“…in the gastrointestinal tract [ 9 - 11 ]. Dietary enzymes can help improve nutrient digestibility and reduce the production of noxious gases [ 5 , 12 , 13 ]. Medicinal plants can have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce harmful gas emissions [ 14 , 15 ].…”