DSM and Novozymes alliance targets better pig and poultry feed digestibility

By Jane Byrne

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Bacteria Dsm

DSM and Novozymes alliance targets better pig and poultry feed digestibility
A new thermostable enzyme, arising from the DSM and Novozymes partnership, is said to improve the quality of feed through enhancing the digestibility of a wide range of cereals.

A combination of xylanases and beta-glucanases as well as ferulic acid esterases and arabinofuranosidases, the new enzyme, Ronozyme MultiGrain, is for use in the feed of broilers, turkeys, ducks, layers and piglets. 

Its ability to degrade a wide range of different non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) in cereals, said the developers, means the product also supports feed manufacturers who want to incorporate highly variable raw materials in their feed formulations such as the seasonal use of barley, for example.

Energy usage

Inne Gantois, market development manager for carbohydrases at DSM, told FeedNavigator that the enzyme’s mode of action results in better energy utilization by the animal, thus saving costs for the feed sector.

“Cereals used in animal nutrition contain high levels of NSP, which are not digested by the animal’s endogenous enzymes. These NSPs are mainly present in the cell walls of the endosperm of cereals, where most of the starch and protein are stored.

Physical processing of the feed ingredients, such as mechanical grinding, is the most common method utilized to break down and reduce the number of intact cell walls. Even with fine grinding, some cell walls will remain intact, which means that the nutrients remain largely inaccessible to the animal.

Chemical grinding by exogenous NSP enzymes can increase the extent of cell wall breakdown and improve the availability of starch and other nutrients,” ​said Gantois.

Formulation cost savings

She said that DSM’s Digestibility Improvement Factor (DIF) system can also aid in lowering production costs.

“The DIF system is a practical tool for feed formulation and measures how Ronozyme MultiGrain can improve the digestibility of different raw materials.

This DIF system has been developed after years of research by DSM and Novozymes. Depending on the raw materials used in the formula, raw material prices and species, the feed cost savings can reach up to €20 per ton. This can be clearly demonstrated by formulating diets with DIF values,”​ said Gantois.

The enzyme’s new coating technology also enables uniform distribution in the feed, said the carbohydrases expert.

The enzyme, added Gantois, can also withstand high temperature pelleting: “Comparative thermostability tests can demonstrate that this enzyme is the most thermostable multi-component enzyme in the market today and can withstand high pelleting temperatures of up to 90°C, without loss of activity."​ 

Another benefit of the product is its dust-free nature and flowability, she said. “Low dust production allows safer use for the end user in the factory, minimizing the exposure to enzyme air dust, which can cause allergies.” 

Targeting the EU feed industry initially, the developers said they will look to launch the enzyme in Russia, the Middle East and Africa at a later date.

 

Related topics Suppliers

Related news

Show more