Skip to Content Skip to Navigation

Exogenous protease supplementation in broiler chicken diets has primarily been attributed to improvements in protein and amino acids digestibility. Therefore, nutritionists can formulate diets with lower levels of dietary protein while maintaining growth performance.

In a typical wheat-soybean meal-based diet, a reduction of 1% in amino acids reduces feed cost by about 3 AUD/Mt.

The use of exogenous phytase in poultry feed is accepted globally, whilst non-starch polysaccharide enzymes (NSPases) such as xylanase and β-glucanase are commonly used in wheat- and barley-based diets, respectively. However, a combination of 3 or more exogenous feed enzymes is less common. A plethora of publications on protease are available, but reports on the effect of protease in diets that include both phytase and NSPases are less frequent. Recently, a deep litter study was conducted by the University of Sydney on wheat/soybean meal-based diets, including phytase, xylanase and protease at stocking densities similar to commercial practice within Australia.

Standard, positive control (PC) diets were formulated to meet or exceed the 2019 Aviagen Ross 308 nutrition specifications and negative control (NC) diets were formulated with a 5% reduction in both crude protein and digestible essential amino acids. A third treatment group consisted of the NC supplemented with the exogenous protease. All diets contained 1000 FTU phytase and 4000 U of xylanase.

Overall broiler growth to 35 days post-hatch exceeded the Ross 2019 male performance objectives by 10.6% for weight gain (2580 versus 2333 g) and was superior by 5.66% in FCR (1.401 versus 1.485). There was a decline in bodyweight gain and inferior FCR when dietary protein was reduced by 5% (2644 versus 2513 g; P = 0.018 and 1.363 versus 1.432; P = 0.005, respectively). However, the addition of protease ameliorated the loss in performance (2583 g bodyweight gain and 1.408 FCR), and results in the finisher period are illustrated in Fig 1. and Fig 2. It is clearly shown that on the basis of phytase and xylanase, adding protease was able to improve amino acids digestibility further and recover 5% reductions in broiler finisher diet essential amino acids and crude protein without an adverse effect on broiler performance.

protease

Fig 1. Bodyweight gain in male Ross 308 broilers from 22-35 days post-hatch (P = 0.061).

 

protease

Fig 2. Feed conversion ratio in male Ross 308 broilers from 22-35 days post-hatch (P = 0.008).

A study compiled by Dr Yumin Bao, Redox Animal Nutritionist.
Back to all News

Posted 22 Mar 2023 in Chemicals

Surfactants 101

A surfactant, also known as a surface-active agent, is a substance that lowers the surface tension between two substances. It is a molecule that contains both hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-hating) parts, allowing it to...

Posted 21 Mar 2023 in Special Interest

World Water Day and Médecins Sans Frontières

Today is World Water Day, focusing on expediting efforts to address the global water and sanitation crisis. Since water is a fundamental need for everyone, it is essential that each one of us takes responsibility and takes action towards...

Posted 15 Mar 2023 in Research

Australia’s role in the critical minerals market

Critical minerals are metallic or non-metallic elements that are essential for modern technologies and low-emission applications, but their supply chains are at risk of disruption, which could have severe consequences for various...

Redox opens up a world of opportunity giving you access to more than 850 of the world's best manufacturers.

BASF
Kraton
Evonik
DSM
DOW Chemicals
ANSAC
Cargill
BestAmino
Chemours
Aromtech
ICL Fertilizers
Eni
AB Biotek
Chemtura
Jacobi
Maurivin
Natural Soda
ETiMADEN
Dutch Plantin
Herba Ingredients
Uvasys
FumeiPharm
CJ Cheiljedang
Aliphos
ClimaxMolybdenum
P&G Chemicals
JKP Nutrition
Prayon
Rianlon
Carus
JIURICHEM
GK
Shell
Laiyu
Sumitomo Chemical
UNID
Sterokem
RheinChemie
United Initiators
Synthite
SCG Chemicals
Medichem
CSPC
Buckman
Pall Water
20 Microns
Scientex
Runtai New Material