How Do NSP Enzymes in Poultry Feed Contribute to Better Digestion?

Introduction – NSP Enzymes in Poultry Feed

Poultry farming is a complex and dynamic industry where the health and performance of birds are most important. In recent years, a growing focus has been placed on optimising poultry feed for better digestion, leading to increased interest in the use of NSP enzymes in poultry feed. These enzymes play an important role in enhancing the digestive process, ultimately contributing to the overall well-being of poultry.

What are NSP compounds?

NSP stands for Non-Starch Polysaccharides, which are complex carbohydrates found in plant cell walls. These compounds are characterized by their structure, consisting of long chains of sugar molecules that are not composed of starch. NSP compounds include various types of polysaccharides, such as cellulose, Hemicellulose pectins etc

These NSP compounds are collectively referred to as “non-starch” because they are distinct from starch, which is another type of carbohydrate composed of glucose units linked by alpha-glycosidic bonds. Unlike starch, NSPs are generally not digestible by monogastric animals, such as poultry and swine, without the aid of specific enzymes.

Negative Impacts of Non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) on poultry

In poultry, the presence of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) compounds in feed poses a challenge because the endogenous enzymes produced by birds are not equipped to efficiently digest these compounds. Consequently, several negative effects on the digestive process and overall well-being of the birds can occur:

Decreased Feed Digestibility:

The inability of endogenous enzymes to break down NSP compounds leads to a reduction in the digestibility of the overall feed.

Loss of Useful Components:

As birds struggle to break down cell wall components due to the presence of NSP, other valuable and digestible components may also be lost, trapped by the NSP compounds.

Increased Feed Intake and Reduced Utilization:

Birds may increase their feed intake in an attempt to compensate for the lower digestibility, but the efficiency of feed utilization decreases, resulting in higher costs.

Undigested Feed and Intestinal Viscosity:

Undigested feed leads to increased intestinal viscosity, causing a rise in the absorption of bile juices.

Altered Microbial Flora:

The composition of the intestinal microbial flora is altered, with an increase in microbial growth. This creates competition for nutrition between the microbial flora and the bird.

Sticky Droppings:

The undigested feed, absorbing a high amount of water, results in sticky droppings. This is indicative of incomplete feed utilization.

Blockage and Reduced Feed Intake:

Undigested feed may block the passage tract, leading to a decrease in feed intake as birds avoid consuming more feed.

Loss of Endogenous Enzymes:

The high feed intake without proportional digestion results in the loss of endogenous enzymes, further reducing nutrient availability.

Distorted Growth and Feed Conversion:

The reduction in nutrient availability negatively affects the growth and feed conversion efficiency of the birds.

Dirty Eggs:

The high viscosity of droppings can lead to dirty eggs, affecting egg quality.

Environmental Impact:

Incomplete digestion contributes to high nitrogen and phosphorus excretion, impacting the environment.

What Are NSP Enzymes?

Before diving into how NSP enzymes help in better digestion, it is important to understand what NSP enzymes are. Non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) enzymes are specialised enzymes designed to break down complex carbohydrates present in poultry feed. Some of the NSP enzymes in poultry are Amylase, Protease, and β-glucanase.
Poultry’s natural enzymes struggle to digest certain compounds in their feed, like non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). NSP enzymes in their feed help break down these tough compounds into simpler, easier-to-digest forms

Advantages of using NSP enzymes

The use of NSP (Non-Starch Polysaccharide) enzymes in poultry feed provides several advantages, contributing to improved overall performance and health of the birds. Here are some key benefits:

1. Improved Nutrient Digestibility: NSP enzymes help break down non-starch polysaccharides present in plant cell walls, releasing encapsulated nutrients. This enhanced digestion improves the availability of essential nutrients, such as proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals, leading to better nutrient utilization by the poultry.
2. Enhanced Feed Efficiency: By breaking down complex polysaccharides, NSP enzymes improve the digestibility of feed, leading to increased feed efficiency. Birds can extract more energy from the feed, promoting better growth rates and optimal weight gain.
3. Reduction in Anti-Nutritional Factors: Some feed ingredients contain anti-nutritional factors like non-starch polysaccharides, which can hinder nutrient absorption and utilization. NSP enzymes help in reducing the negative effects of these factors, thereby improving the overall nutritional value of the feed.
4. Gut Health: NSP enzymes contribute to maintaining a healthy gut environment. They can reduce the viscosity of the intestinal contents by breaking down complex polysaccharides, promoting a more favorable environment for beneficial bacteria. This can lead to improved gut health, nutrient absorption, and overall performance of the birds.
5. Minimization of Environmental Impact: IEfficient digestion and utilization of nutrients through the use of NSP enzymes can result in reduced excretion of undigested feed components. This not only benefits the birds but also minimizes the environmental impact associated with waste production.
6. Consistent Performance: Incorporating NSP enzymes into poultry feed formulations helps in achieving more consistent performance across batches of feed. This consistency is crucial for maintaining the health and productivity of the poultry flock.
7. Cost Savings: Improved nutrient utilization and feed efficiency translate into cost savings for poultry producers. By optimizing the nutritional value of the feed, producers can achieve better growth rates and lower feed conversion ratios, ultimately reducing the overall cost of production.

What Are NSP Enzymes?

Non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) enzymes are commonly used in poultry feed to improve nutrient utilization by breaking down complex carbohydrates that are typically indigestible by the bird’s own enzymes. When selecting NSP enzymes for inclusion in poultry feed, several characteristics are considered:

• Substrate Specificity:

  Effective NSP enzymes in poultry should target a broad range of non-starch polysaccharides found in feed ingredients like arabinoxylans, β-glucans, and others.

• Thermostability:

  Enzymes need to withstand the heat generated during feed processing. Thermostable NSP enzymes retain their activity even after exposure to high temperatures, ensuring efficacy in pelleted or extruded feeds..

• pH Tolerance:

  Enzymes should function effectively across a range of pH levels present in the digestive tract of poultry, ensuring activity in both the acidic environment of the stomach and the alkaline conditions of the intestine.

• Activity Level:

  The enzyme should have sufficient activity to break down a significant portion of NSPs in the feed, aiding in the release of trapped nutrients.

• Consistency in Performance:

  The enzyme should demonstrate consistent activity and performance across different batches of feed and under various environmental conditions.

• Compatibility with Other Feed Additives:

  Compatibility with other additives commonly included in poultry feed, such as vitamins, minerals, and other enzymes, is crucial to ensure no adverse interactions.

• Cost-Effectiveness:

  Consideration of the cost-effectiveness of the enzyme in relation to the improvements it provides in nutrient utilization and overall poultry performance.

• Mode of Action:

  Understanding the specific mode of action of the enzyme in breaking down NSPs can help in selecting enzymes that complement the nutritional composition of the feed.
  By considering these characteristics, poultry nutritionists and feed manufacturers can make informed decisions when selecting NSP enzymes to optimize the nutritional value of poultry feeds.

Considerations for Farmers Using NSP enzymes in poultry Nutrition

Farmers considering the infusion of Non-Starch Polysaccharide (NSP) enzymes into poultry feed should carefully navigate several key considerations to ensure a successful and beneficial integration.

• First & foremost, understand the feed ingredients used in the feed formula and the major NSP compounds they contain.
• Select the NSP enzymes for poultry according to the feed ingredients used in the formulation.
• Determining the optimal dosage and frequency of NSP enzyme inclusion is equally important, preventing underutilization or overuse.
• Additionally, farmers should select reliable suppliers with a proven track record in delivering quality feeds enriched with NSP enzymes in poultry nutrition.
• Lastly, the economic aspect should be considered, weighing the potential benefits of improved digestion and performance against the cost of incorporating NSP enzymes in poultry feed.

Economic Impacts Of NSP Enzymes in Poultry Feed

Incorporating Non-Starch Polysaccharide (NSP) enzymes into poultry feed yields significant economic benefits for farmers. Enhanced feed efficiency, resulting from improved carbohydrate breakdown, reduces wastage and lowers feed costs. This efficiency, coupled with enhanced digestion, leads to accelerated growth rates and better overall performance, potentially increasing profits. The promotion of a healthier gut environment by NSP enzymes contributes to lower veterinary costs, reducing expenses related to digestive disorders. Long-term advantages include improved poultry productivity, with efficient nutrient utilization translating to enhanced weight gain.
Despite initial costs, the investment in NSP enzymes proves economically viable, offering reduced feed wastage, lower veterinary expenses, and increased productivity for poultry farmers in the competitive industry, fostering sustainable growth.

Conclusion – Use of NSP Enzymes in Poultry Feed

In conclusion, the integration of Non-Starch Polysaccharide (NSP) enzymes into poultry feed emerges as a strategic and economically sound decision for farmers
As a versatile tool in optimising nutrient utilisation and fostering a healthier gut environment, the use of NSP enzymes in poultry nutrition contributes not only to short-term cost savings but also to long-term gains in poultry productivity.
At Glamac, we offer Glavenza, a premium quality cocktail of NSP enzymes range that helps enhance digestibility at a higher level. By choosing Glavenza, poultry farmers can embrace the advantages of NSP enzymes, and position themselves for sustained success in the dynamic landscape of poultry farming.