An increasing proportion of barley, wheat bran etc is being incorporated into diets for broilers as a result of the price advantage of barley over wheat and the availability of enzymes able to minimise the undesirable consequences of high barley inclusion. The successful use of enzymes in this branch of the poultry industry has stimulated interest in the application of enzymes to barley/wheat bran-based diets. Increased availability of dietary components (starch and protein) released by enzymes from intact cells is probably of equal importance and argues for the use of multienzyme preparations. Although there are physiological reasons for augmenting the digestive capacity of pigs with supplementary enzymes at the time of weaning, feeding trials have failed to produce definitive results in terms of improved performance or reduced neonatal mortality. A similar variable response to enzyme addition to grower and finisher diets has been found. The limited nutritive value of some released carbohydrate and variable survival of enzymes during processing and within the digestive tract may account, in part, for variations in response. Phytase, an enzyme newly available in commercial amounts, may prove of value in reducing the phosphorus content of effluent from intensive rearing facilities.

• >> Enzymes degrade feed materials
• >> Improves digestibility
• >> Increases weight and productivity
• >> Decreases mortality
• >> Eco-friendly and easy to handle