The effects of enzyme addition to broiler diets containing high concentrations of canola or sunflower meal

The effects of two commercial enzyme products on the nutritive value of canola meal (CM) and sunflower meal (SFM) were determined in a classical AME bioassay with special emphasis on the utilization of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP). The enzymes were added to semi-purified broiler grower diets based on corn and casein containing 35% CM or 35% SFM, respectively. Feed intake, growth, and AME of the diets were significantly (P < 0.001) affected by type of oilseed meal included in the diet. Birds fed the SFM-based diets had a significantly (P < 0.001) higher growth rate and AME and a lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) than did birds fed the CM-based diets. The addition of enzymes to either CM-or SFM-based diets had no significant effects on growth performance and AME; however, the addition of enzymes to CM-based diets resulted in a significant reduction in the concentration of soluble NSP in the jejunum (Enzyme A) or a significant reduction of total NSP in the jejunum (Enzyme B). The AME, was significantly lower in diets containing CM supplemented with Enzyme B. The addition of enzymes to SFM-based diets significantly improved NSP digestion in the jejunum and protein digestion in the ileum. The results of this study indicate that commercial enzyme products had some effects in diets containing high concentrations of CM or SFM. However, these effects could only be seen after detailed analyses of feed and digesta and did not result in significant improvement in growth performance of broilers.