Dietary Energy and Amino Acid Enhancement From a Multi-enzyme Preparation

This study investigated the effect of Rovabio® Advance (Enz), containing high levels of endo-xylanase (Xyl) and arabinofuranosidase (Abf) activities, on energy and ileal amino acid (AA) digestibility of a complete wheat/soybean-based diet in broilers. The commercial control diet was compared with a 3% nutrient-diluted version using silica as inert diluent. Digestibility of dry matter, AA, and gross energy were determined by analysis of feed, excreta, and digesta. Ross PM3 broiler chicks were studied during the grower period, and diet dilution did not cause feed intake to increase. Fecal energy digestibility was similar (approximating 73%) for diets without Enz (P = 0.99). However, apparent metabolizable energy (AME) content was significantly lower in the diluted vs. control diet. Enz improved energy utilization (P < 0.001), leading to an increase of AME content of the diluted and standard diets. AME content of the diluted diet with Enz was similar to that of the standard diet without Enz (P = 0.98), demonstrating the ability of Enz to fully compensate the 3% nutrient dilution. At ileal level, AA digestibility was around 75% across all treatments. The addition of Enz increased AA digestibility by an average of 4.4% (P < 0.001).