Effect of Xylanase and Protease on the Performance of Growing-Finishing Pigs Fed Corn-Based Diets

Abstract

Thacker, P.A. 2005. Effect of xylanase and protease on the performance of growing-finishing pigs fed corn-based diets. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 28: 17–23.

Two experiments were conducted to determine if the performance of growing-finishing pigs fed corn-based diets is improved by enzyme supplementation. In experiment one, 72 crossbred pigs (32 castrates and 40 gilts) were fed one of the two corn-canola meal based diets, identical in composition except that one diet contained 0.12% of an enzyme cocktail (750 β-glucanase units and 650 xylanase units per gram). In experiment two, 64 crossbred pigs (32 castrates and 32 gilts) were assigned to one of the four corn-soybean meal based diets including an unsupplemented control diet, a diet supplemented with xylanase (200 g I tonne containing 1250 units/g of xylanase and 385 units/g of β-glucanase), a diet supplemented with protease (200 g I tonne containing 400 units I g of protease, 150 units I g of soybean meal hydrolytic activity, 360 units I g of xylanase and 165 units I g of β-glucanase) or a diet supplemented with the two enzymes in combination (125 g I tonne xylanase and 75 g I tonne protease). The addition of the enzymes did not alter (P>0.05) the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein or energy. There was no effect (P>0.05) on weight gain, feed intake or carcass traits. However, during the growing period only, feeding xylanase significantly (P<0.05) improved feed conversion. It is concluded that there is little justification for the routine inclusion of these enzymes in corn-based diets fed to swine.

Keywords:

• Corn
• pigs
• xylanase
• protease
• performance
• digestibility
• carcass traits