Enzymes
Enzymes are added to feeds to digest the non-soluble polysaccharide component in feeds. These nutrients, if not digested properly, are consumed by bacteria thereby reducing available nutrients to support growth. Enzymes are substrate specific and hence need to be carefully formulated according to the feed formulation.

Enzymes are naturally occurring proteins that act as biological catalysts. The complex metabolic reactions of living organisms are regulated by thousands of enzymes, each promoting a specific reaction that takes place countless times every day. The primary function of the enzymes in the gut of the bird is to breakdown larger molecules into smaller ones that are easier to utilise.

Feed enzymes have been available to the animal industry for the last four decades, but have found limited practical use only recently. The main limiting factors are cost, specificity and potency.

To determine the appropriate enzyme to be added in the feed, following factors should be considered.
  • Species of animal
  • Types of cereals used
  • Inclusion rate of cereals
  • Levels of antinutritional factors present in the feed ingredients

Emphasis must be given to factors that affect enzymatic activity. The success of an enzyme formulation depends on the following:
  • Presence of respective substrates
  • Optimum temperature
  • Pelleting and storage stability
  • Resistance against gastric acidity and proteolytic attack
  • Optimum pH
  • Spectrum of enzymatic activity
  • Age of the bird
Avitech employs its in-depth understanding of nutrition to formulate enzymes that play an effective role in poultry nutrition.