Abstract:
231 Enzyme supplementation improves protein quality of grain legumes for poultry production K.G. Wiryawan , J.G. DingIe and D. Creswell 1 1 2 `Department of Animal Production, The University of Queensland, Gatton College, Lawes QLD 4345 *Creswell Livestock Consultants, Mosman NSW 2088 Enzyme supplementation to legume meals has been shown to increase their ME value (Wiiawan et al. 1995) and improve chick performance (Brenes et al. 1993). It is likely that the protein quality of legumes may also be improved by enzyme supplementation. The objective of this study was to determine the protein quality of a range of grain legumes with and without enzyme supplements. An isoenergetic N-free diet and ten isoenergetic legume diets containing nominally 100 g kg -`protein with and without 1 g kg-l supplementation of a multienzyme product containing xylanase, a -amylase and protease were given to seven-day-old male broilers for 14 days. The treatments were arranged in a 2x10 factorial design with 9 replicates each. The chickens were caged in a temperature-controlled room at 3W 0.5OC and had ad libitum access to feed and water. The chickens were weighed after overnight fasting at the beginning and end of the observation period. Chicken responses were assessed in terms of Net Protein Ratio (NPR), calculated according to Bender and Doell, (1957). The NPR values and the Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF) content of each grain legume are presented inTable 1. The mean NPR of grain legumes increased significantly (PcO.0 1) after supplementation with a multi enzyme product containing xylanase, cc-amylase and protease. There was a significant (PcO.05) positive correlation (r = 0.64) between percent improvement in NPR values and the cell wall (NDF) content of grain legumes. Generally legumes with a greater cell wall content showed a better response to mixed enzyme supplementation than those with a lower amount of cell wall content. References Bender, A.E. and Doell, B.H. (1957). Biological evaluation of protein: a new aspect. British Journal of Nutrition 11, 14 -148. Brenes, A., Marquardt, R.R., Guenter, W. and Rotter, B.A. (1993). Effect of enzyme supplementation on the nutritional value of raw, autoclaved and dehulled lupins (Lupinus albus) in chicken diets. Poultry Science 72,228 l-2293. Wiryawan, KG , Dingle, J.G, Kumar, A., Gaughan, J.B. and Young, B.A. (1995). True metabolizable energy content of grain legumes: Effects of enzyme supplementation. Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition in Australia p. 196 (Eds. J. B. Rowe and J. V. Nolan). University of New England: Armidale. Table 1 The effect of enzyme supplementation on the net protein ration and neutral detergent fibre content of grain legumes in poultry. Recent Advances in Animal Nutn'tion in Australia 1997 University of New England, Armidale NSW 2351, Australia