Non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) represent an important part of poultry diets. Once ingested, NSP can be partially soluble or insoluble depending on their origin, chemical structure, and association degree with the other cell wall components. The presence of NSP is associated with several anti-nutritional factors.
Although not digestible by endogenous enzymes, NSP can influence feed utilisation throughout the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The anti-nutritive effect of soluble NSP (arabinoxylan (AX), glucan) has been attributed to their ability to increase digesta viscosity, thereby limiting the absorption of nutrients. Furthermore, increased digesta viscosity may promote pathogen growth in the GIT. Additionally, insoluble NSP (AX, cellulose) can limit the access of the endogenous enzymes to the nutrients trapped in the cell wall matrix and therefore hinder digestion.
To offset the anti-nutritional factors from NSP, exogenous non-starch polysaccharide degrading enzymes (NSPases) are used in animal nutrition, contributing to improved animal performance. Yet, as widely demonstrated and reported, not all NSPases are the same and their efficiency is influenced by several factors, from enzyme origin to level of complexity of the NSP molecules.
Huvezym® neXo mode of action
Huvepharma recently added Huvezym® neXo to its NSPase portfolio. The product was developed to degrade complex fibre structures in diets that use more fibrous or alternative raw materials which may need a specific combination of enzymes to ensure the animal gets the most out of the fibre component.
Huvezym neXo is an enzymatic complex of 1,4-beta-xylanase; 1,4-beta-glucanase and xyloglucanase. Different research trials have shown Huvezym neXo to be efficacious in improving the performance of animals fed complex fibre diets. The reported performance improvements can be linked to the enzymatic depolymerisation of soluble AX and glucan, which reduces intestinal viscosity and, consequently, improves performance.
Nevertheless, viscosity reduction is far from being the only mechanism involved. Huvezym neXo degrades NSP present within the intact cell wall matrix. Rupturing of the cell wall improves the digestibility of nutrients that were physically entrapped before. Additionally, Huvezym neXo releases arabinoxylan-oligosaccharides (AXOS) from its action on the solubilisation of AX. AXOS have a prebiotic potential and have been linked with increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production in the caeca of broilers. SCFAs can promote gut health and provide additional energy to the host among other benefits.
In a research broiler trial set up in Belgium, contents from different segments of the broiler GIT were sampled and used to measure the formation of SCFAs and to assess the effect of Huvezym neXo supplementation on the fermentation processes along the GIT. The results, shown in Table 1, demonstrate that Huvezym neXo addition significantly increased acetate and succinate contents in the ileum, and significantly increased the contents of acetate, butyrate and total SCFAs in the caeca. These SCFAs can be used by the host as an additional energy source and to promote gut health.
Alongside the significant impact on fermentation processes, Huvezym neXo is a nutritional tool for better animal performance, contributing to animal production efficiency.
Huvezym neXo as a nutritional tool for optimal performance
In a research grow-out trial set up in Spain, 660 Ross 308 broilers were used to determine the efficacy of Huvezym neXo in improving the performance of birds fed a complex fibre diet. Diets were wheat, barley, rye, and soybean meal based.
Results from the whole experimental period (Table 2) clearly show that birds fed diets containing Huvezym neXo had significantly better performance than the control birds. Bird growth was significantly better (+4.4%), feed conversion rate (FCR) was significantly lower (-3.5%), and European production efficiency factor (EPEF) was better (+7.4%) in the Huvezym neXo group compared to the control group.
Conclusion
Huvezym neXo is a validated nutritional tool to ensure animals get the most out of the fibre component of the diet. Its efficiency is reflected in a healthier GIT and its unique ability to degrade complex fibre results in improved performance. Huvezym neXo significantly improved zootechnical performance in broilers: +4.4% growth, -3.5% FCR and +7.4% EPEF.
