Search Results (12)

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the addition of fibrolytic enzymes to the diet of cattle in confinement improves feed digestibility weight gain; as well as evaluating the profile of fatty acids in the ruminal environment and in meat fatty acids profile. In total, 24 male dairy cattle (Holstein) aged 8 months and weighing an average of 212 kg, were divided into 2 groups: control (without additive) and treatment (0.25 g of enzymes/kg of dry matter of total diet). The experiment lasted 120 days. The first 20 days are allocated for the adaptation period. During the study, samples of blood, ruminal fluid, and feces were collected, as well as weighing the cattle and measuring their daily feed consumption. There was no effect of treatment on body weight, feed intake, feed efficiency, and nutrient digestibility (p > 0.05). Cholesterol levels were higher in the serum of cattle that consumed the enzyme; serum amylase activity was higher in cattle that received the additive only on day 120 of the experiment (p < 0.05). There was a greater amount of volatile fatty acids in the ruminal fluid, combined with a greater amount of acetic acid. The amount of fat in the meat of cattle that consumed fibrolytic enzymes was higher compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Meat from cattle in the treatment group had lower amounts of saturated fatty acids and higher amounts of unsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.05). The fibrolytic enzymes addition altered rumen fermentation in such a way that lipid metabolism was changed, which had a serious impact on cholesterol and tissue levels, that is, in the meat that had a greater amount of total lipids, an unsaturated fat. Full article

Efficient bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ruminant feed requires advanced strategies to enhance fiber degradation and ruminal fermentation efficiency. This study evaluates the synergistic effects of gamma irradiation (150 kGy) and exogenous fibrolytic enzyme (EFE) supplementation (4 µL/g dry matter) from Trichoderma longibrachiatum on the structural composition and ruminal fermentation of Typha latifolia. Gamma irradiation significantly reduced neutral detergent fiber (NDF) while increasing non-fiber carbohydrates (NFCs), reducing sugars (RS) and antioxidant activity. These modifications enhanced ruminal bacterial proliferation, suppressed ruminal protozoal populations, and improved ruminal fermentation efficiency by increasing gas production, dry matter degradability, and NDF degradability. Additionally, irradiation decreased ruminal NH₃-N concentrations and branched-chain volatile fatty acids (VFAs) without affecting total VFA production and ruminal pH. While EFE alone accelerated only ruminal fermentation, its combination with irradiation further reduced NDF content, enriched NFC and RS, and enhanced fermentation efficiency. This dual treatment increased total VFA production, shifted fermentation pathways toward propionate synthesis, and reduced acetate and branched-chain VFA levels. It also stimulated ruminal bacterial populations without altering ruminal pH. These findings highlight gamma irradiation as an effective pretreatment to enhance EFE hydrolysis, offering a promising strategy to improve the nutritional value of low-quality forages to integrate into ruminant diets. Full article

This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of exogenous L. plantarum, fibrolytic enzymes, and their combination on fermentation quality, structural carbohydrate components, and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). The treatments included (i) no additives (control), (ii) L. plantarum (L), (iii) fibrolytic enzymes (E), and (iv) a combination of fibrolytic enzymes and L. plantarum (EL). After being fermented for 1, 3, 7, and 30 days, the silos were opened for subsequent analysis. L and EL increased the lactic acid content and decreased the pH value and NH₃-N content compared to silages without the addition of L. plantarum (p < 0.05). Compared to the control, enzymes alone or combined with L. plantarum improved enzymatic hydrolysis with higher water-soluble carbohydrates being retained at the early stage of ensiling; lower contents of NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, and cellulose were observed at the end of ensiling (p < 0.05). The IVDMD was improved in E and EL silage, and the highest IVDMD was observed in E. The L silage showed no significant difference in terms of the structural carbohydrate components or IVDMD compared to the control (p > 0.05). A principal component analysis showed that L. plantarum addition did not contribute to an increase in IVDMD, whereas LA fermentation was further enhanced when EL was synergistically involved. Full article

The primary objective of this study was to explore the effects of biological additives, including Streptococcus bovis (SB), Bacillus subtilis (BS), xylanase (XT), and their combined treatments, including SB + BS (SBBS), SB + XT (SBXT), and BS + XT (BSXT), on the chemical composition, fermentation characteristics, and microbial community of high-moisture oat silage. Compared with the CK group (control group without additives), SB and SBBS treatments increased the lactic acid content (p < 0.05) and reduced the contents of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and ammonia nitrogen in silage (p < 0.05). XT, SBXT, and BSXT treatments decreased the neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents (p < 0.05), increasing the water-soluble carbohydrate content (p < 0.05). The SB, SBBS, and SBXT treatments increased the abundance of Lactiplantibacillus (p < 0.05) and significantly decreased microbial richness with diversity (p < 0.05), improving the microbial community structure in silage. The addition of XT increased the relative abundance of Clostridium and Enterobacteriaceae, but its combination with SB and BS increased the abundance of Lactiplantibacillus and inhibited the development of undesirable bacteria. Moreover, different additives changed the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, energy, cofactors and vitamins of bacterial communities during ensiling. In summary, the addition of SB and SBBS was more conducive to improving the fermentation characteristics of oat, while XT, SBXT, and BSXT performed better in degrading lignocellulose in plants. Full article

Based on the low content of water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) attachment in oat raw materials, we assumed that the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content of oat can be reduced by adding cellulase or xylanase. The concentration of metabolizable sugars will be increased, which will assist the oat’s bacterial community in fermentation and obtain a better quality of oat silage. After wilting the oat, it was treated as follows: (1) distributed water (CK); (2) silages inoculated with xylanase (X); and (3) silages inoculated with cellulase (C), ensiling for 3, 7, 14, 30, and 60 days. Cellulase and xylanase treatments both alter the fermentation and nutritional quality of ensiled oat, resulting in lower NDF, acid detergent fiber (ADF), cellulose, and hemicellulose contents, increased lactic acid and acetic acid contents, and a significant decrease in ensiling environment pH. The bacterial community undergoes significant changes with cellulase and xylanase treatments, with a significant increase in Lactobacillus abundance in the C_14, X_30, C_30, X_60, and C_60 treatment groups, while Weissella abundance gradually decreases with longer ensiling times. Two exogenous fibrolytic enzymes also alter the bacterial diversity of ensiled oat, with different bacterial species and abundances observed in different treatment groups. Ensiled oat treated with cellulase and xylanase experiences significant changes in its own bacterial community, particularly in the abundance of Lactobacillus. These changes result in improved fermentation and nutritional quality of oat, but the higher metabolism levels observed after 60 days of ensiling with cellulase treatment may lead to energy loss. Full article

The present and future high demand of common cereals as corn and wheat encourage the development of feed processing technology that allows for the dietary inclusion of other cereals of low nutritional value in poultry feeding. Barley grains contain anti-nutritional factors that limit their dietary inclusion in the poultry industry. The treatment of barley with solid-state fermentation and exogenous enzymes (FBEs) provides a good alternative to common cereals. In this study, barley grains were subjected to solid-state microbial fermentation using Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus subtilis and exogenous fibrolytic enzymes. This study aimed to assess the impact of FBEs on growth, feed utilization efficiency, immune modulation, antioxidant status and the expression of intestinal barrier and nutrient transporter-related genes. One-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308, n = 400) comprised four representative groups with ten replicates (10 chicks/replicate) and were fed corn-soybean meal basal diets with inclusions of FBEs at 0, 5, 10 and 15% for 38 days. Solid-state fermentation of barley grains with fibrolytic enzymes increased protein content, lowered crude fiber and reduced sugars compared to non-fermented barley gains. In consequence, the group fed FBEs10% had the superior feed utilization efficiency and body weight gain (increased by 4.7%) with higher levels of nutrient metabolizability, pancreatic digestive enzyme activities and low digesta viscosity. Notably, the group fed FBEs10% showed an increased villi height and a decreased crypt depth with a remarkable hyperactivity of duodenal glands. In addition, higher inclusion levels of FBEs boosted serum immune-related parameters and intestinal and breast muscle antioxidants status. Intestinal nutrient transporters encoding genes (GLUT-1, CAAT-1, LAT1 and PepT-1) and intestinal barriers encoding genes (MUC-2, JAM-2, occludin, claudins-1 and β-defensin 1) were upregulated with higher dietary FBEs levels. In conclusion, feeding on FBEs10% positively enhanced broiler chickens’ performance, feed efficiency and antioxidant status, and boosted intestinal barrier nutrient transporters encoding genes. Full article

The addition of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFEs) and length of storage can affect the quality of maize silage. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the fermentative profile and the nutritive value of maize silage treated with different doses of EFEs ensiled for 30, 60, or 90 days. The study was designed as completely randomized in a split-plot arrangement of treatments, where four doses of EFEs were assigned to the main plot and three lengths of storage to the sub-plot, with four replicates per treatment. Treatments were: Control, E100 (EFEs at 100 g/ton dry matter (DM)), E150 (EFEs at 150 g/ton DM) and E200 (EFEs at 200 g/ton DM). The EFE treatment did not increase the digestibility of nutrients but increased the acetic acid concentration (1.87 vs. 1.18% DM), while decreasing the content of ethanol (0.02 vs. 0.08% DM), ethyl lactate (7.50 vs. 15.9 mg/DM) and ethyl acetate (5.58 vs. 10.6 mg/DM). Prolonged storage increased DM losses (7.05 vs. 2.32%) and acetic acid content (2.19 vs. 1.03% DM), but decreased ethanol concentration (0.02 vs. 0.09% DM). In conclusion, the addition of EFEs in maize silages did not affect nutrient digestibility and DM losses during fermentation, but it slightly decreased the concentrations of ethanol and esters and increased the acetic acid content. Although statistically significant, such differences may not be relevant biologically, due to the relatively low concentrations of ethanol and esters in all treatments. Full article

This study aims to provide possible utilization of sunflower head byproduct (SFH) as a feedstuff by implementing chemical pretreatments (4% sodium hydroxide (SFH_NaOH) or 4% urea (SFH_urea) and supplementation with either exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) or functional feed additive (FFA). The experimental EFE was a complex (1:1, v/v) of two enzyme products with high activity of β-1,3-1,4-glucanase and endo-1,4-β-D-xylanase and applied at 0 (SFH_out), 1, 2, 5, and 10 µL/ gdry matter, while FFA was a fermentation byproduct rich in cellulase and xylanase activities, applied at 0 (SFH_out), 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/g DM. SFH_urea had the highest (p < 0.05) crude protein (CP) content compared to other SFH substrates. Linear enhancements (p < 0.05) in kinetics of gas production (GP), metabolizable energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentrations were observed for all SFH substrates supplemented with EFE. The SFH_out had the highest (p < 0.05) potential GP, maximum rate (Rmax) of GP, ME, OMD and SCFAs. Supplementation of EFE was more pronounced than FFA in affecting the kinetic parameters of in vitro GP for all SFH substrates. SFH_out supplemented with EFE seems to be the most promising substrate to enhance microbial fermentation in vitro. Full article

The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzyme derived from Trichoderma reesei on dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) degradability of whole plant faba bean silage (Snowbird), (2) evaluate the effects of fibrolytic enzyme (FETR) on DM and NDF degradation kinetics of whole plant faba bean silage, and (3) compare the difference between in the vitro approach (Daisy^II incubation method) and the in situ assay-biological approach (nylon bag technique) in the determination of degradability of dry matter (DMD) and neutral detergent fibre (NDFD). The fibrolytic enzyme from Trichoderma reesei was a mixture of xylanase and cellulase. The whole plant faba bean silage was treated with seven doses of fibrolytic enzyme, with 0 as a control and 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25 and 1.5 mL of FETR/kg DM of silage. The results obtained from the in situ method show that fibrolytic enzyme cubically (p < 0.05) affected DMD and quadratically (p < 0.01) affected NDFD with increasing level of enzyme application. In vitro DM and NDF degradability were quadratically and cubically (p < 0.01) affected by the increasing dosage of enzyme. Correlation analysis between the in situ assay-biological approach and the In vitro Daisy^II approach showed a strong correlation (r = 0.98, p < 0.01) on overall DMD and also a satisfactory relationship (r = 0.84, p < 0.01) was found on overall NDFD. The enzyme application showed a great impact on NDF rumen degradation kinetics by decreasing the undegradable fraction and increasing the potential degradable fraction and the effective degradable content of fiber. The washable (W) and potential degradation fraction (D) were linearly (p = 0.05) increased by the enzyme treatments. Therefore, the undegradable fraction was linearly decreased (p = 0.05) with increasing dosage of enzyme. Both bypass (BNDF) and effective degradable NDF (EDNDF) were cubically (p = 0.05) affected by fibrolytic enzyme. In conclusion, the exogenous fibrolytic enzyme derived from Trichoderma reesei highly impacted rumen degradation characteristics and degradability of whole plant faba bean silage and could be used to improve fibre digestion of whole plant faba silage in dairy cows. Full article

Treating ruminant feeds with exogenous fibrolytic enzymes may potentially increase forage cell wall degradability and thus feed efficiency. In nature, fungi biosynthesize lignocellulolytic enzymes that can break down lignocellulosic material into its sugar components, thereby providing ready fermentable substrates. This work showed the in vitro fibrolytic activity of three Trichoderma strains (T. atroviride strain P1, T. afroharzianum strain T22, T. reesei strain T67). Total protein concentration and enzymatic (e.g., glucanase, cellulase, and xylanase) activities were determined in fungal culture filtrates after 7 and 14 days of growth on different fiber-based media. The enzymatic mixtures produced by Trichoderma spp. showed the highest concentration of fibrolytic enzymes and were added to industrial feed to test their ability to hydrolyze insoluble fibers. The supplementation of industrial feeds containing medium-fiber or low-fiber concentrates with T22 enzymes produced in the presence of lyophilized mushrooms and durum wheat fiber reduced hemicellulose concentration up to 33% and 24%, respectively. These results may offer novel opportunities to develop livestock feeds with improved fiber digestibility. Full article

High fiber levels (165 g neutral detergent fibre (NDF)/kg DM) in Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) could limit its utilization as a nutraceutical source in Jumbo quail diets. Pre-treating MOLP with exogenous fibrolytic multi-enzymes could reduce the nutrient-encapsulating effect of non-starch polysaccharides and subsequently increase nutrient and bioactive compound utilization. Thus, this study investigated the effect of pre-treating dietary MOLP with an exogenous fibrolytic enzyme mixture on some physiological parameters and meat quality characteristics in Jumbo quail. A total of 396 Jumbo quail were randomly distributed to 6 experimental diets, with 6 replicate pens each and 11 birds per replicate. The experimental diets were: CON = a standard grower diet (156.5 g NDF /kg) without MOLP; ENZ0 = CON + 10% MOLP; and CON + MOLP pre-treated with 0.25% (ENZ25), 0.50% (ENZ50), 0.75% (ENZ75) and 1% (ENZ100) fibrolytic enzymes. There were no significant linear or quadratic effects on growth performance parameters and carcass characteristics in response to incremental levels of fibrolytic enzymes. However, neutrophils linearly increased, while breast meat lightness and 24 h hue angle linearly declined with enzyme levels. Quadratic effects were observed on gizzard weights and 1 h hue angle in response to enzyme levels. All the hemato-biochemical values fell within the normal ranges for healthy quail. It was concluded that the maximum fibrolytic multi-enzyme application rate of 1% may not have been adequate to enhance feed utilization and positively affect weight gain in Jumbo quail, thus higher levels may need to be investigated further. Full article

The present review examines the factors and variables that should be considered to obtain, design, and evaluate EFEs that might enhance ruminal NDF degradability. Different combinations of words were introduced in Google Scholar, then scientific articles were examined and included if the reported factors and variables addressed the objective of this review. One-hundred-and-sixteen articles were included. The fungal strains and culture media used to grow white-rot fungi induced the production of specific isoforms of cellulases and xylanases; therefore, EFE products for ruminant feed applications should be obtained in cultures that include the high-fibrous forages used in the diets of those animals. Additionally, the temperature, pH, osmolarity conditions, and EFE synergisms and interactions with ruminal microbiota and endogenous fibrolytic enzymes should be considered. More consistent results have been observed in studies that correlate the cellulase-to-xylanase ratio with ruminant productive behavior. EFE protection (immobilization) allows researchers to obtain enzymatic products that may act under ruminal pH and temperature conditions. It is possible to generate multi-enzyme cocktails that act at different times, re-associate enzymes, and simulate natural protective structures such as cellulosomes. Some EFEs could consistently improve ruminal NDF degradability if we consider fungal cultures and ruminal environmental conditions variables, and include biotechnological tools that might be useful to design novel enzymatic products. Full article