The possibility of improving digestibility of nonstarch polysaccharides present in broiler diets by the use of different carbohydrases appears as an opportunity to enhance feed utilization by the birds. In this study,the effect of a β-Mannanase (CTCZyme) on nutrient digestibility in corn-soybean meal diets was investigated. One-day-old chicks received a nutritionally complete corn-soybean meal diet for 19 d. At that time birds were randomly allocated to 4 treatments, each of which had 6 replicates of 5 birds housed in battery brooders with wire floors. Aliquots of the basal diet were supplemented with 4 levels of CTCZyme (CTC Bio Inc., Seoul Korea): 0%, 0.025%, 0.05% (recommended level) and 0.1%. Chromic oxide was used as an indigestible marker. Feed was analyzed for gross energy, Chromium, and amino acid content. After 8 d of acclimation to the test diets, birds were sacrificed and ileal contents collected. Analysis of the ileal contents indicated that digestibility of Lys, Met, Thr, Trp, Arg, Leu, Ile, Cys, and Val were significantly (P ≤ 0.0001) improved in a linear manner for each increment of CTCZyme inclusion. Lys digestion was increased 4.6% and Met by 3.1% by the highest level of enzyme. Ileal metabolizable energy also increased with each increment of CTCZyme level. These results show that the enzyme improves feed digestibility by making amino acids more available for the bird and increases energy utilization from the feed. These results suggest that lower levels of protein and energy could be used with the same results but further studies are required to estimate potential levels.
