Recent swine trials have shown that xylanase introduction early in the nursery period and fed through to slaughter increases overall pig finisher performance.
Dr Pete Wilcock, Global Technical Manager at AB Vista, explains how the response may be potentially associated with three mechanisms in a new video, released by AB Vista.
“The first mechanism is the ability to reduce digesta viscosity. The addition of xylanase breaks down the long chain arabinoxylans, which improves nutrient digestibility,” says Dr Wilcock.
“A second mechanism of xylanase is that it has the ability to breakdown insoluble arabinoxylans in the plant cell wall, allowing endogenous enzymes of the animal to breakdown starch and protein.”
The third mechanism which Dr Wilcock discusses in the video is the ability of xylanase to produce potentially prebiotic xylo-oligomers through the breakdown of long chain arabinoxylans (AXOS).
“Xylo-oligomers are fermented by microflora in the lower and hind gut of the animal, and can result in increased Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA) which could be used as an energy source. This can influence the gut bacterial population and, with an increased level of butyrate, could improve the epithelial integrity of the animal,” adds Dr Wilcock.
Furthermore Dr Wilcock points out that this increased VFA production can lead to potentially a greater retention time in the stomach and an overall improved diet digestibility.
He adds that understanding the xylanase to be used is important and that certain characteristics should be identified when selecting a xylanase, including being assayable, gastro-stable, thermostable when pelleting and producing the appropriate xylo-oligomers.
The video ( ‘Understanding xylanase mechanisms for maximum benefits’ ) can be viewed on the AB Vista website – www.abvista.com.
For more information, contact AB Vista on +44(0)1672 517 650 or info@abvista.com .
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Notes to editor:
AB Vista is an animal nutrition technology company offering pioneering products and technical services to the global animal feed industry. Since its establishment in 2004, AB Vista has grown to be a top-three player in feed enzymes and is also one of the largest suppliers of natural betaine to the global animal nutrition industry. The company invests heavily in research and development and has a growing portfolio of products and services spanning the poultry, swine, ruminant and aquaculture sectors. AB Vista is headquartered in the UK, with regional offices located in the USA, Brazil, Singapore, Spain, India, China, Germany and Finland.
AB Vista is part of AB Agri, the agricultural division of Associated British Foods, one of Europe’s largest food & retail companies with a market capitalisation of £22 billion.
For further press information please contact Nic Daley or Mike Keeler on +44 (0)20 8647 4467.
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