cellulase and Body-Weight

The objective of this study was to evaluate a commercial feed enzyme product (Natugrain 33-L; BASF Corporation, Ludwigshafen, Germany) used mainly in poultry diets for use in ruminant diets. The product contained mainly beta-glucanase, xylanase, and endocellulase activities. The study was conducted as a double 3 x 3 Latin square design with six lactating dairy cows (84 +/- 12 DIM) to measure intake, chewing activities, total tract digestion, and milk production. An additional three cows fitted with ruminal cannulae were used to measure dietary effects on ruminal fermentation and in sacco digestion characteristics. Cows received a diet consisting of 45% forage containing 0, 1.22, or 3.67 L of enzyme product/tonne of total mixed ration (DM basis). Using a low or high concentration of enzyme supplementation increased feed intake, but total tract digestibility only increased with the low concentration of enzyme. As a result, intake of digestible nutrients was increased to a greater extent for cows fed the low concentration than for cows fed the high concentration. Because the cows used in this experiment were in positive energy balance, increased intake of digestible energy due to enzyme supplementation did not increase milk yield or milk component yield. Further research is necessary to determine the mechanism by which adding a fibrolytic enzyme mixture enhanced intake, but only increased feed digestion when used at a low level.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Body Weight; Cattle; Cellulase; Digestion; Female; Fermentation; Glucan Endo-1,3-beta-D-Glucosidase; Glycoside Hydrolases; Lactation; Rumen; Xylan Endo-1,3-beta-Xylosidase; Xylosidases

Fifty Holstein cows (20 primiparous and 30 multiparous) were used in an experiment to evaluate the dose response to a direct-fed cellulase and xylanase enzyme mixture applied to the forage portion (60% corn silage and 40% alfalfa hay) of a total mixed ration just prior to feeding. Cows were fed one of five treatment diets for 12 wk. Diets 1 through 4 were 55% forage: 45% concentrate and consisted of an untreated control and the control diet plus 0.7, 1.0, or 1.5 L of enzyme concentrate/tonne of forage dry matter, respectively. Diet 5 was an untreated 45% forage: 55% concentrate diet. Actual production of milk increased as much as 10.8% relative to the control diet with 1.5 L of enzyme, and production of fat and protein increased as much as 20 and 13%, respectively. The lowest concentration of enzyme treatment (0.7 L/tonne) accounted for approximately one-half of the production increases. The responses to enzyme-treated forages occurred 2 to 4 wk after the cows started to consume the treated forages, and the same responses were maintained throughout the remainder of the experiment. Cows that started to receive enzyme-treated forage during the first 100 d postpartum produced 9 to 15% more milk and 16 to 23% more energy-corrected milk than did cows fed the control diet. However, production was not increased when cows were in midlactation at the start of the experiment. Responses to enzyme-treated forages fed in 55: 45 forage to concentrate rations were similar to the response to increased proportions of concentrates fed with untreated forages at the 45:55 forage to concentrate ratio.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Body Weight; Cattle; Cell Count; Cellulase; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Female; Lactation; Lipids; Medicago sativa; Milk; Milk Proteins; Silage; Xylan Endo-1,3-beta-Xylosidase; Xylosidases; Zea mays

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Cellulase; Collagen; Flavonoids; Humidity; Matrix Metalloproteinases; Mice, Hairless; Oryza; Plant Extracts; Protective Agents; Skin; Skin Aging; Ultraviolet Rays

A multifunctional transgenic Lactobacillus with probiotic characteristics and an ability to degrade β-glucan and phytic acid (phytate) was engineered to improve nutrient utilization, increase production performance and decrease digestive diseases in broiler chickens. The Bacillus subtilis WL001 endoglucanase gene (celW) and Aspergillus fumigatus WL002 phytase gene (phyW) mature peptide (phyWM) were cloned into an expression vector with the lactate dehydrogenase promoter of Lactobacillus casei and the secretion signal peptide of the Lactococcus lactis usp45 gene. This construct was then transformed into Lactobacillus reuteri XC1 that had been isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of broilers. Heterologous enzyme production and feed effectiveness of this genetically modified L. reuteri strain were investigated and evaluated. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed that the molecular mass of phyWM and celW was approximately 48.2 and 55 kDa, respectively, consistent with their predicted molecular weights. Endoglucanase and phytase activities in the extracellular fraction of the transformed L. reuteri culture were 0.68 and 0.42 U/mL, respectively. Transformed L. reuteri improved the feed conversion ratio of broilers from 21 to 42 days of age and over the whole feeding period. However, there was no effect on body weight gain and feed intake of chicks. Transformed L. reuteri supplementation improved levels of ash, calcium and phosphorus in tibiae at day 21 and of phosphorus at day 42. In addition, populations of Escherichia coli, Veillonella spp. and Bacteroides vulgatus were decreased, while populations of Bifidobacterium genus and Lactobacillus spp. were increased in the cecum at day 21.

Topics: 6-Phytase; Animals; Aspergillus fumigatus; Bacillus subtilis; Bacterial Proteins; Body Weight; Cecum; Cellulase; Chickens; Fungal Proteins; Limosilactobacillus reuteri

A study was conducted to compare the nutrient utilization, growth, and rumen enzyme profile of mithun (Bos frontalis) and Tho-tho cattle (Bos indicus) reared in the same feeding and managemental conditions. For the purpose, male mithun (n = 8) and male Tho-tho cattle (n = 8) of 1.5 years age, selected from the farm of National Research Centre on Mithun, Nagaland, India, were fed on mixed-tree-leaves-based ration as per the requirement of NRC (2001) for cattle for 12 months. Average daily gain (ADG), average dry matter intake (DMI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) for all animals were recorded. A metabolic trial was conducted at 6 months of the experiment to assess the digestibility coefficient of different nutrients and nutritive value of ration. At 12 months of the experiment, rumen liquor was collected from all animals and analyzed for rumen enzyme profiles, viz., carboxymethylcellulase, xylanase, α-amylase, β-glucosidase, α-glucosidase, urease, and protease. It was found that ADG (507.8 g vs 392.8 g), DM intake (6.59 vs 5.85 kg/day) and DMI/W(0.75) (98.75 g vs 91.00 g/day), crude protein intake (780 vs 700 g/day), and total digestible nutrient intake (3.65 vs 3.32 kg/day) were higher (p < 0.05) in mithun than cattle. The nitrogen balance was higher and FCR was better (p < 0.05) in mithun compared with cattle. The digestibility coefficient of different nutrients was similar (p > 0.05) between the species. The microbial enzyme profiles of mithun and cattle were not different (p > 0.05). The better growth performance of mithun than cattle as found in the present study clearly indicates that the mithun has higher genetic potential for growth than Tho-tho cattle of north-eastern hilly region of India.

Topics: Agriculture; alpha-Amylases; alpha-Glucosidases; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; beta-Glucosidase; Body Weight; Cattle; Cellulase; Diet; Endo-1,4-beta Xylanases; India; Male; Peptide Hydrolases; Plant Leaves; Rumen; Species Specificity; Urease

The effects of (Rac)-metolachlor and (S)-metolachlor on the avoidance behavior, bodyweight change and in vivo enzyme activity of earthworms (Eisenia foetida) were determined and compared in this study. The effects of (Rac)-metolachlor on the enzyme activities of E. foetida and bodyweight were more significant than those of (S)-metolachlor at the same concentrations. In the short term (2 d, 7 d), (S)-metolachlor had faster effects on cellulase and catalase activities of E. foetida. However, in the relatively long term (14 d, 28 d), (Rac)-metolachlor had higher toxic effects on cellulase and catalase activities. The inter-group difference between (Rac)-metolachlor and (S)-metolachlor on E. foetida enzyme activities was the most significant for catalase, and the least significant for cellulase. The test of avoidance behavior shows that earthworms are more sensitive to the stimulation of (Rac)-metolachlor than to that of (S)-metolachlor. The results will help to develop an understanding of the biologically mediated environmental processes of these two herbicides.

Topics: Acetamides; Animals; Body Weight; Catalase; Cellulase; Herbicides; Humidity; Isomerism; Light; Oligochaeta; Soil Pollutants; Temperature

Thirty lactating Beetle-sannen crossbred goats were randomly divided into 3 groups based on first fortnight milk yield, and then adjusted to body weights to study the effect of fibrolytic enzyme supplementation on digestibility and milk production. Goats in the control group (C) were fed 500 g of concentrate supplement (CS) without exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (control; CG) or CS fortified with cellulase and xylanases @ of 4000 and 12500 (EG(1)) or 8000 and 18 750 IU/kg (EG(2)), respectively. CS was offered in two equal proportions just after milking at 7 and 17 h. After feeding CS, goats were fed 1200 g of wheat straw as roughage in two equal parts at 08.00 and 18.00 hours. Milk yield was studied for 3 1/2 months. Milking was done by hand. Changes in body weight were also recorded. After a preliminary period of 60 days of feeding, a 7-day digestibility trial was conducted in two intervals with 5 animals from each group at a time. The increase in either wheat straw or NDF intake due to the enzyme mixture was only 3%. There was significant improvement (P < 0.05) in the diet digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF and total carbohydrates (TC) between the control and EG(1) and EG(2) goats. Improvements were greater (P < 0.05) in the latter group. Microbial protein (MBP) was estimated based on purine derivatives and creatinine excreted in spot urine samples. MBP increased about 10 and 15% in EG(1) and EG(2), but these values were statistically invalid. Phenomenally milk yield, fat and SNF were significantly (P < 0.001) changed with progression of lactation. On a temporal basis, fortnightly changes in FCM yield of this study could be grouped as 1 month each of first and last and 1 1/2 of middle phase of lactation. Repeated measure analysis showed 180 to 260 mL/day of higher FCM and 16 to 20 g/day of higher SNF yield (P < 0.001) in EG(2) than control or even EG(1) during 5 to 7th fortnight. However, no significant impact (P > 0.05) was noticed on TF. Feed intake, g/kg FCM yield was also 7% less in EG(2) than either CG or EG(1). The study concluded that apart from increased digestibility, fortification of CS with cellulase and xylanases enzymes improved FCM yield in the last quarter of lactation in goats, and improved body weights by 5% (P > 0.05). While the digestibility of the diet was higher in EG(1) and EG(2), the impact on FCM and SNF yield was noticed only on EG(2). Our study indicated that CS of lactating goats may be fortified with 8000 and 18 500 IU/kg CS

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Body Weight; Cellulase; Dietary Fiber; Female; Goats; Lactation; Milk; Xylosidases

After observing the effects of purified cellulase (C), hemicellulase (H), pectinase (P), and their combinations on the in vitro digestibility of a corn-soybean meal broiler diet, we examined the associations between pectin breakdown and the digestibilities of CP and DM by using free galacturonic acid (GA) as an index of pectin breakdown. There was no significant effect of the single enzymes except for H. However, the enzyme combinations H + P, C + H, and C + H + P significantly increased CP and DM digestibilities, whereas the combination of C + P was not effective. Because H has activities of both H and P, these enzymes were considered to be important in stimulating digestion. Furthermore, when the enzymes increased CP and DM digestibilities, GA concentration was significantly higher, and clear correlations between CP and DM digestibilities and GA concentration were observed, whereas correlations between the digestibilities and concentration of glucose or xylose + mannose as indices of cellulose and hemicellulose breakdown, respectively, were not significant. From these observations, we hypothesized that a mixture of enzymes could increase the protein digestibility of broiler feed. Thus, in the in vivo experiment, low-protein (19% CP) diets made mainly of corn and soybean meal with or without mixed enzymes were prepared and given to broiler chicks. The birds given the diet containing mixed enzymes showed significantly higher BW gain, with higher CP and DM digestibilities than the birds given the diet without the mixed enzymes. Moreover, the growth rate was same as that of the birds given the normal (21% CP) diet. The results indicate that the mixed enzyme preparation can effectively degrade indigestible cell constituents and thus enable the protein of the broiler feed to become more digestible. Furthermore, the results indicate the importance of H as a rate-limiting factor of cell wall breakdown.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Body Weight; Cellulase; Chickens; Dietary Proteins; Feces; Glycoside Hydrolases; Hexuronic Acids; Male; Organ Size; Polygalacturonase; Regression Analysis

The effect of an exogenous phytase and cellulase-containing enzyme formulation on nutrient digestibility and excretion was evaluated in 24 Holstein cows. Cows were fed corn silage- and alfalfa silage-based diets with or without a cellulase-phytase blend for 31 d in a continuous random design. Treatment groups were balanced for parity, days in milk, and mature-equivalent projected milk yield. Diets contained 37% forage, 18.3% crude protein, 35.4% neutral detergent fiber, 18% acid detergent fiber, and 0.42% P (no supplemental P). Cows were fed once daily in Calan doors and milked 2 times daily. Body weight and milk yield were recorded at each milking. Milk samples were collected on d 28 to 31 at 8 consecutive milkings. On d 28 to 31, fecal grab samples were collected every 8 h, with sampling times advanced by 2 h each day. Feces samples were pooled by cow. Feed and feces samples were analyzed for acid detergent lignin (used as an internal marker) and for N, P, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber. Days in milk were similar between treatments, and body weight and milk yield were unaffected by treatment. Cows fed the enzyme formulation had reduced fecal dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber excretion and reduced fecal excretion of N and P. Apparent digestibility of dry matter, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and N tended to increase with the enzyme formulation. Addition of an exogenous phytase and cellulase enzyme formulation to diets for lactating cows reduced fecal nutrient excretion.

Topics: 6-Phytase; Animals; Body Weight; Cattle; Cellulase; Diet; Dietary Fiber; Female; Lactation; Manure; Medicago sativa; Nitrogen; Parity; Phosphorus; Pregnancy; Silage; Time Factors; Zea mays

2-O-(beta-D-Glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid (AA 2 beta G) isolated from a popular traditional Chinese food (Lycium fruit) was synthesized using cellulase derived from Trichoderma sp. with cellobiose as a glucose donor. 6-O-(beta-D-Glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid as well as AA 2 beta G was also synthesized in this reaction. The vitamin C activity of AA 2 beta G was also evaluated using inherently scorbutic (osteogenic disorder Shionogi [ODS]) rats. The rats were fed vitamin C-deficient food and water containing AA 2 beta G for 21. AA 2 beta G supported their growth and the level of vitamin C in tissues was moderately maintained. The vitamin C level in some tissues depended on the hydrolytic activity of AA 2 beta G (beta-glucosidase activity) although the correlation was not statistically significant (P=0.08). The results indicate that AA 2 beta G has pro-vitamin C activity.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Body Weight; Cellobiose; Cellulase; Dietary Supplements; Enzyme Activation; Male; Rats; Trichoderma

Topics: Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Avena; Body Weight; Cellulase; Chickens; Eating; Endo-1,4-beta Xylanases; Female; Random Allocation

To exploit peashrub resources in Ordos as fodders, it is very crucial to realize industrial production of cheap cellulase of high activity by optimizing culture technology, especially culture substrate. In this study, a new prescription experiment based on uniform design ideal was invented and successfully applied in the solid fermentation of Trichoderma koningii F244, which was performed with two different temperature degrees. The activities of FPA, cotton lyase, CMCase and beta-glucosidase were assayed and then mathematical models of enzymatic activities, which were figured out by Unconstraint Mathematical Programming, were developed by Multivariate Regression Program of SPSS10.0. Enzymatic activities of optimized substrate prescriptions corresponding to mathematical models were forecasted to determine an ideal substrate prescription. It is revealed that in solid fermentation, Tween80 has negative effect on cellulase production. Furthermore, the ideal prescription for cellulase complex production by Trichoderma koningii F244 was straw powder 16.9%, wheat bran 26.5%, (NH4)2SO4 9.5% and water 47.1%, whose corresponding cellulase activity was expected to be at the same high level with that of Trichoderma reesei Q9414 on its own recommended substrate. Especially, goats mainly fed on peashrub tissues mixed with cellulase complex of this prescription and culture technology, got an incremental ratio of 0.3 kg/d, which brought a very promising feeding prospect for local peashrub resource. By populization of this cellulase complex, it can integrate living standard, economic construction of local residents into vegetational restoration tightly and thus this paper will be very meaningful to be use for reference for western China like Ordos to realize its sustainable development of economy, society and environment.

Topics: Agriculture; Animal Feed; Animals; Body Weight; Cellulase; China; Fermentation; Goats; Models, Theoretical; Plant Proteins; Polysorbates; Regression Analysis; Temperature; Trichoderma

Activity of supplemental enzymes in a barley-soybean-maize based diet at 60, 75 and 90 degrees C pelleting temperatures was studied using feed viscosity, in-vitro enzyme activity and broiler performance data. High pelleting temperatures increased feed viscosity but supplemented enzymes reduced the viscosity at all three temperatures levels by 11, 14 and 17%, respectively. Water intake and losses in excreta of birds were found to be affected by feed viscosity. Activity of cellulase enzyme, measured using the radial diffusion method, was unaffected at 60 and 75 degrees C, but reduced by 73% in feed processed at 90 degrees C. Enzymes increased the weight gain of broilers by 11.1% at 90 degrees C, but no effect could be seen at low pelleting temperatures possibly due to high dietary protein and energy contents. Feed intake was unaffected by enzymes. Birds consumed 6% more feed and grew 9% faster when the pelleting temperature was increased from 60 to 75 degrees C. Reduced feed intake and daily weight gain observed at 90 degrees C could be fully compensated by the enzyme supplementation. High pelleting temperature reduced energy metabolizability (3.2%) and nitrogen utilization (4%) but enzyme almost compensated them (by 3.3% and 2.6%, respectively). No interaction could be detected between the pelleting temperatures and enzymes. It is concluded that pelleting temperatures as high as 90 degrees C drastically reduce cellulase activity, energy and nitrogen utilization thus lowering broiler performance. Either the remaining activity of cellulase or other thermostable enzymes can prevent the losses.

Topics: Amylases; Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; beta-Glucosidase; Body Weight; Calorimetry; Cellulase; Chickens; Endo-1,4-beta Xylanases; Endopeptidases; Feces; Food, Fortified; Glucan 1,3-beta-Glucosidase; Male; Multivariate Analysis; Nitrogen; Random Allocation; Temperature; Xylosidases

Holstein cows (n = 43) in early lactation were used to investigate effects of method of adding fibrolytic enzymes to diets on feed intake, milk production, and digestibility. Cows were blocked according to parity and calving date and randomly assigned to three treatments: control, enzymes applied to the total mixed ration (E-TMR), or enzymes added to the barley-based concentrate (E-Conc). The enzyme product used was a proprietary blend that contained relatively high xylanase and low cellulase activities (Biovance Technol. Inc., Omaha, NE). An enzyme solution (50 mg of enzyme powder dissolved into 20 ml of water) was sprayed onto each kilogram of total mixed ration (dry matter basis) before feeding. Alternatively, 73 g of enzyme powder, dissolved in 20 L of water, was added per ton of concentrate (50 mg of enzyme/kg of diet dry matter). The total mixed rations contained 24% corn silage, 14% alfalfa hay, and 62% concentrate (dry matter basis) and were offered ad libitum. In vitro gas production assays and two experiments using sheep were conducted to measure the effects of enzyme treatment on digestibility. Dry matter intake (mean: 19.8 kg/d) was not affected by enzyme supplementation. Milk yield (kg/d) was higher for cows fed E-Conc (37.4) than for cows fed control (35.3) or E-TMR (35.2) with no effects on milk composition. Total tract digestibility (%) of dry matter was higher for E-Conc (66.6%) than for the control diet (63.9%) and intermediate for E-TMR (65.7%) when measured in dairy cows. However, the digestibility of the diets was substantially higher when measured in sheep than in dairy cows, with no effects of enzyme supplementation. The results indicate that fibrolytic enzymes have the potential to increase digestibility and milk production in dairy cows because digestion is low relative to potential digestibility. When digestion is higher, as was observed in lambs or in vitro, no improvement in digestibility occurs. Method of enzyme delivery must also be considered to maximize the benefits of using fibrolytic enzymes in dairy cow diets.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Body Weight; Cattle; Cellulase; Digestion; Energy Intake; Energy Metabolism; Female; Food, Fortified; Lactation; Milk; Xylan Endo-1,3-beta-Xylosidase; Xylosidases

1. Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of crude enzyme preparations (beta-glucanase and arabinoxylanase) and/or 20 g/kg Sepiolite (Exal) on the performance and nutrient digestion of broiler chickens fed on maize-barley-wheat based diets. 2. In experiment 1, enzymes improved daily bodyweight gain (by 14%; P<0.001) and food:gain ratios (8%; P<0.001). Sepiolite improved bodyweight gain on the diets not supplemented simultaneously with enzymes (by 6% in 21-d-old chickens, P<0.05) but reduced it for enzymes-supplemeented diets. Changes in productive perfiormance with both additives were associated with changes in diet digestibility and nitrogen balance. 3. In experiment 2, enzyme supplementation reduced viscosity in jejunum and ileum and the mean retention time of digesta in the gut. Sepiolite inclusion significantly reduced the viscosity of jejunum digesta and modified the retention times of digesta in the gut, depending upon whether enzymes had been added. There was a decreased retention time without enzymes but an increase with enzyme supplementation. 4. Although different mechanisms are presumed for enzymes and sepiolite, both seem to counteract the negative effects of soluble, non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) in the diet by modifying jejunal viscosity and improving organic matter digestibility.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Antacids; Body Weight; Cellulase; Chickens; Dietary Supplements; Eating; Edible Grain; Feces; Kinetics; Magnesium Silicates; Male; Nutritive Value; Random Allocation; Titanium; Xylosidases

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of two enzyme preparations containing beta-glucanase and xylanase activities on barley- and wheat-based diets, respectively, for broilers, in combination with flavomycin. In addition, the stability of the enzyme preparations after pelleting was measured. Temperatures recorded during the pelleting process reached 75 to 80 C, and the activities recovered with respect to the amounts present in the mash feed before pelleting were 80% or higher. Two performance experiments were conducted simultaneously under the same conditions over 6 wk. In addition, intestinal viscosity and incidence of vent pasting were measured and carcasses were eviscerated to determine abdominal fat, carcass yield, and percentage weight of intestines and viscera. Twenty-four pens (12 per sex), each containing 75 chickens were used in each experiment. Wheat- or barley-based diets were supplemented with flavomycin and a xylanase or a beta-glucanase preparation, respectively, in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. In the wheat diets, xylanase and flavomycin improved feed efficiency, in parallel with a reduction of intestinal viscosity. Xylanase reduced the incidence of vent pasting and the percentage viscera, especially of intestines, and increased abdominal fat. In the barley diets, beta-glucanase and flavomycin improved feed conversion. beta-Glucanase also reduced intestinal viscosity and vent pasting. Both beta-glucanase and flavomycin reduced percentage intestines, but the effects were not additive. In general, the effects of the enzyme preparations and flavomycin were independent, except for percentage intestines with beta-glucanase.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bambermycins; Body Composition; Body Weight; Cellulase; Chickens; Dietary Supplements; Eating; Female; Food Analysis; Gastrointestinal Motility; Glycoside Hydrolases; Hordeum; Intestines; Male; Meat; Temperature; Triticum; Weight Gain; Xylan Endo-1,3-beta-Xylosidase; Xylosidases

Enzymatically depolymerized sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-ENZ) is a new functional food ingredient which has a lower molecular weight and viscosity than regular sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). Both compounds are known not to be absorbed to a significant extent, and the human safety of CMC as a thickening agent and stabilizer in food is well established. In the present study, the subchronic oral toxicity of CMC-ENZ was examined and compared with that of CMC in Wistar rats. Seven groups of 20 rats/sex were fed diets with 0 (controls), 2.5, 5 and 10% CMC and 2.5, 5 and 10% CMC-ENZ for a 3-month period. There was only one death that was unrelated to the treatment. Water intake, urine production and urinary sodium excretion increased with increasing doses of CMC and CMC-ENZ due to their sodium content of about 7-8%. The treatment-related occurrence of diarrhoea and caecal enlargement in the mid- and high-dose groups, a slight increase of plasma alkaline phosphatase, and increased urinary calcium and citrate excretions were considered to be generic effects that typically are observed in rodent studies with low digestible carbohydrates. The increased occurrence of nephrocalcinosis and hyperplasia of the urothelial epithelium in some of the treated groups was interpreted as an indirect consequence of a more alkaline urine coupled with an increased calcium excretion. As the frequency and severity of all these changes did not differ between corresponding CMC and CMC-ENZ dose groups, it is concluded that the two products have a similar toxicological profile.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Body Weight; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; Cellulase; Eating; Female; Food Additives; Glycoside Hydrolases; Kidney; Male; Organ Size; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Urinary Bladder

1. Experiments were conducted to measure the effect of xylanase supplementation on the performance of broilers fed on wheat-based diets containing high and low extract viscosity wheat (experiment 1), baking and feeding quality wheat (experiment 2) and with variation in wheat content (experiment 3). 2. Xylanase supplementation improved food conversion ratios by 2.2-2.9% and body weight gain by 0.2-2.5%. This was independent of wheat characteristics but slightly dependent on the wheat content of the diet. These effects were related to a lowering of digesta viscosity. 3. Differences in extract viscosity of wheat were not reflected in broiler digesta viscosity. 4. Reduction of digesta viscosity resulted in only a slight improvement of litter score. Reduced intestinal viscosity decreased relative pancreas weight and to a lesser extent relative small intestinal weight. 5. Baking quality wheat Baldus gave better performance than the feed quality wheats Apollo and Slejpner. 6. It was concluded that xylanase supplementation of wheat-based diets invariably had a positive effect on broiler performance.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animal Feed; Animals; Body Weight; Cellulase; Chickens; Digestion; Food, Fortified; Gastrointestinal Contents; Glycoside Hydrolases; Triticum; Viscosity; Weight Gain; Xylan Endo-1,3-beta-Xylosidase; Xylosidases

Studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of cellulase from Trichoderma viride in a diet for broilers containing high levels of wheat bran. Broiler-type, mixed-sex chicks were fed from 3 to 8 weeks of age. Wheat bran was added at 0, 10, and 20% levels. A fourth group received the 20% wheat bran plus the cellulase enzyme added at the level of .008%. A portion of the chicks was used in a digestibility study with chromic oxide as an indicator. The summarized data showed that cellulose treatment had a significant effect on reducing feed consumption (P less than .01) and an apparent effect in improving feed-to-gain ratio. Cellulase supplementation significantly improved the digestibility of cell wall components (P less than .01). Calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and copper associated with cell walls were solubilized by cellulase. Iron balance was negative in the groups without cellulase; however, iron, which is bound by the bran, apparently was made available for absorption by cellulase.

Topics: Animals; Biological Availability; Body Weight; Cellulase; Chickens; Dietary Fiber; Feces; Female; Food, Fortified; Male; Minerals; Mitosporic Fungi; Trichoderma

Number of cellulolytic bacteria and their cellulase activity were determined from fecal samples of eight pairs of littermate pigs representing four litters (26 to 32 kg) fed a low or high fiber diet ad libitum (0 or 35% alfalfa meal, respectively) over a 70-d period. Fecal samples were obtained from all pigs on d 0, 5, 11, 18, 32, 53 and a final sample between d 67 to 70. Cecum and colon samples were obtained at slaughter. Growth and carcass data were also obtained during the study. Pigs fed the high fiber diet gained 17.3% less, had increased feed to gain ratio and less carcass weight at slaughter than those fed the low fiber diet (P less than .05). Overall, a larger number of cellulolytic bacteria (P less than .05) were found in the fecal samples from pigs fed the high fiber diet. The overall mean cellulolytic activity (mg glucose released X g dry weight fecal sample-1 X 30 min-1) was 27.7 compared with 33.8 (P less than .05) for the pigs fed the low and high fiber diet, respectively. A lower concentration of organic acids (P less than .05) was present in the fecal samples of the high fiber pigs. The overall mean acetate to propionate ratio was 1.92 and 2.48 (P less than .01), and ammonia-N was 2.27 and .98 mg/g dry weight (P less than .01) for the low and high fiber diet pigs, respectively. These data indicated that a 35% alfalfa meal diet significantly affects intestinal bacterial metabolism and number and activity of the cellulolytic population, along with performance and carcass characteristics.

Topics: Animals; Bacteria; Body Weight; Cecum; Cellulase; Colon; Dietary Fiber; Feces; Gastrointestinal Contents; Male; Swine

Topics: Amylases; Animals; Body Weight; Caseins; Cellulase; Digestive System; Female; Fruit; Glucose; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Insecta; Kinetics; Larva; Male; Metamorphosis, Biological; Peptide Hydrolases; Plants; Pupa; Spectrophotometry; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Sucrase; Time Factors; Tyrosine