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Biomedical subjects

M Choct

Publications and source records attributed to M Choct.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Effects of commercial enzyme preparations on egg and eggshell quality in laying hens.

1. Four different commercial enzyme products were added to standard commercial layer diets, based on barley, wheat or triticale. 2. Diets were fed to 4 different strains of commercial laying hen: ISA Brown, Hy-Line CB, Tegel SB2 and Tegel HiSex. 3. Diets were given for 5 weeks prior to measurements of egg and eggshell quality. 4. The inclusion of commercial enzyme products in the diets had no effect on egg weight. 5. Positive effects of the enzymes were: improved eggshell breaking strength, shell weight, percentage shell and shell thickness for the barley-based diet and increased eggshell breaking strength for two of the enzymes with the wheat-based diets. 6. Negative effects of the enzyme products were slightly lighter coloured eggshells and reduced albumen quality for the barley-based diet and for two enzymes with the wheat-based diet. 7. The addition of commercial enzyme preparations had no main effect on egg and eggshell quality for the triticale-based diet, except for effects on yolk colour. 8. Yolk colour was lower than control for enzyme 3 in all diets and for enzyme 4 with the barley- and wheat-based diets. 9. Further investigation is required to elucidate the specific enzyme components that influence egg quality.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2004

A comparison of three xylanases on the nutritive value of two wheats for broiler chickens.

Three xylanase products, xylanase A derived from Thermomyces lanuginosus, xylanase B from Humicola insolens and xylanase C from Aspergillus aculeatus, were examined for their effects on the nutritive value of wheat. The study investigated the effects of enzyme addition to broiler diets based on a low-metabolisable-energy (ME) wheat and a normal-ME wheat, with the emphasis on changes in composition of the NSP along the digestive tract in broiler chickens. There were significant (P<0.01) enzyme and wheat effects on the apparent ME, but there was no wheat x enzyme interaction on apparent ME. Weight gain and feed conversion efficiency (except xylanase C for normal wheat) were also significantly (P<0.01) increased by the xylanases. The enzymes differed in their effect on a number of important nutritional parameters. Xylanase A reduced (P<0.05) the excreta moisture level from 77.1 % in birds fed the normal-ME wheat control to 73.4 % and from 77.4 % in those fed the low-ME wheat to 73.0 %. The other two enzymes did not affect excreta moisture levels. The digesta viscosity in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum of birds fed both types of wheat was reduced (P<0.01) by xylanases A and C, but was increased (P<0.01) in the jejunum and ileum by xylanase B. The digestibility of the soluble NSP was mostly negative in the small intestine. The digestibility of the insoluble NSP differed (P<0.01) between the two wheats, with those in the low-ME wheat being more digestible (14 v. 28 %). When supplemented with xylanase A, the ileal digestibility of the insoluble NSP in the normal- and low-ME wheats was increased by 28 and 42 %, respectively. Xylanases B and C did not affect the digestibility of the insoluble NSP regardless of wheat type. It may be concluded that wheats with low or normal ME values vary in their responses to xylanase supplementation. Apart from having an elevated level of soluble NSP, low-ME wheat may also contain insoluble NSP, which in the present study appeared to be more easily degradable in the gut of the chicken.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2004

Selenium supplementation affects broiler growth performance, meat yield and feather coverage.

(1) Selenium (Se) is an essential part of numerous selenoproteins, most of which are involved in the antioxidant system of the body. It is also required by poultry for the maintenance of optimal health and meat quality. This paper reports data from a study examining the effect of dietary source and concentration of selenium on broiler performance and meat quality. (2) Increased dietary selenium content markedly reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR) as a result of significantly lower feed intakes of birds while maintaining the same weight gains. (3) Selenium supplementation increased feathering, with organic selenium (selenised yeast) being superior to inorganic selenium (sodium selenite). (4) Birds receiving organic selenium in their diets had improved eviscerated weight, breast yield and reduced drip loss. (5) There were significant concentration x source interactions on yields of breasts and marylands (thigh plus drumstick), with elevated levels of organic selenium increasing the yields, whereas the opposite was true for the inorganic selenium.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed2002

Effects of feed enzymes on nutritive value of soyabean meal fed to broilers.

1. The effects of two enzyme products on the nutritive value of soyabean meal (SBM) were investigated with the emphasis on changes in composition of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) along the digestive tract. Enzyme A was a commercially available product containing mainly hemicellulase, pectinase, beta-glucanase and some protease activities and Enzyme B was an experimental product with mainly beta-galactanase activity. 2. Enzymes were added at the recommended dosage (normal) and at 5 times the recommended dosage (high) to a semi-purified diet based on maize with SBM as the sole protein source. 3. The enzymes had no effect on digesta viscosity in the jejunum or ileum. 4. Enzyme A at the high dosage significantly (P<0.05) improved AMEN, reduced excreta moisture content and improved ileal protein digestibility. The addition of the same enzyme at the recommended dosage had no effect on any of the above parameters. 5. Analysis of the monosaccharide composition revealed that Enzyme A tended to reduce the amounts of rhamnose and galactose in the soluble and insoluble NSP fractions in thejejunal and ileal digesta. The reduction was significant (P<0.05) when the same enzyme was added at the high dosage. 6. Enzyme B significantly (P<0.05) improved AMEN of the diet but not the growth or the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the birds. Enzyme B at the high dosage significantly reduced (P<0.05) ileal protein digestibility. 7. Enzyme B significantly (P<0.05) increased the amount of free sugars in thejejunum and reduced (P<0.05) the concentration of soluble NSP in the ileum. 8. Analysis of the monosaccharide composition in the jejunal and ileal digesta showed that this enzyme was highly effective in releasing galactose from both the soluble and insoluble NSP fractions. 9. It is concluded that glycanases with galactanase and pectinase activities supplemented at appropriate dosages can improve the digestibility of the NSP in SBM and increase the metabolisable energy content of the diet containing high levels of SBM. 10. Furthermore, the addition of Enzyme B at the high dosage significantly (P<0.05) reduced protein digestibility without any measurable reduction in growth performance.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2002

Passage rate through the anterior digestive tract of broiler chickens fed on diets with ground and whole wheat.

1. Birds were fed diets containing ground or whole wheat and titanium dioxide for 10 min, followed by dissection of 4 birds per treatment after 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min. 2. The crop, proventriculus and gizzard, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum from each bird were dried and combusted, and titanium content in each section was determined. 3. Significant amounts of titanium were found in the small intestine of the birds as soon as 30 min after being given feed containing titanium, and significant amounts had passed the small intestine after 120 to 150 min. 4. Titanium contents equivalent to approximately 5 g feed were eliminated from the gizzard per hour independently of whether ground or whole wheat was used. Thus, a hypothesis that the use of whole grain would slow down passage rate through the upper digestive tract was not supported by the current results.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2000

Effect of food enzymes on utilisation of lupin carbohydrates by broilers.

1. The effects of 3 commercial enzyme products on the nutritive value of 2 lupin species were investigated with the emphasis on changes in composition of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) along the digestive tract. Enzyme A contained primarily cellulase, beta-glucanase and xylanase activities, enzyme B primarily hemicellulase, pentosanase and xylanase activities, and enzyme C primarily hemicellulase, pectinase and beta-glucanase activities. 2. The enzymes were added to semi-purified diets based on sorghum and casein containing 35% whole seed lupins (Lupinus angustifolius cv Gungurru or Lupinus albus cv Kiev mutant). Control diets contained no lupins. 3. Food conversion ratio (FCR), excreta moisture content and apparent metabolisable energy (AME) were affected by lupin species but not by enzyme supplementation. 4. In diets with L. angustifolius, enzyme C significantly increased digesta viscosity and increased the concentration of soluble NSPs in all sections of the intestine. 5. Digestibility of protein and NSPs in the ileum and microbial fermentation in the ileum and caeca were not affected by adding enzymes to diets containing L. angustifolius. 6. Enzyme addition to diets with L. albus did not affect digesta viscosity nor concentration of soluble NSPs but caused a significantly (P<0.05) reduced concentration of insoluble NSP in the ileum. 7. Enzyme addition to L. albus significantly (P<0.05) increased NSP digestibility in the ileum but had no effects on protein digestibility and fermentation in the ileum and caeca.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2000

Effect of food enzymes on AME and composition of digesta from broiler chickens fed on diets containing non-starch polysaccharides isolated from lupin kernel.

1. The effects of lupin non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) on apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and composition of digesta from broiler chickens were examined in a dose-response experiment in conjunction with a single combination of 2 commercial enzyme products known from previous studies to partially depolymerise NSPs in diets containing sorghum, casein and lupin kernel. The 7-d experiment was conducted on broiler chickens (24 to 31 d of age) in metabolism cages. 2. The basal diet used in this study contained (in g/kg) sorghum (low tannin) 800, casein 134, celite 20 and vitamins and minerals 46. The inclusion rate for each enzyme product was 0.2 g/kg. Lupin kernel isolate (containing 560 g/kg total NSPs) replaced some of the sorghum and casein. The dose rates of lupin kernel isolate (50, 100 and 150 g/kg) were equivalent to dietary inclusion rates of 80, 160 and 240 g/kg, approximately, of untreated lupin kernel from Lupinus angustifolius cultivar Gungurru. 3. Inclusion of lupin kernel isolate in the diet depressed AME and bird performance, and raised ileal viscosity and excreta moisture, in a dose-dependent manner. 4. A combination of 2 proprietary enzyme products improved dietary AME by 0.3 MJ/kg dry matter. Enzymes reduced excreta moisture when inclusion of lupin kernel isolate was 50 g/kg (equivalent to lupin kernel at 80 g/kg, approximately) but not at higher inclusions. 5. Food enzymes partially depolymerised some insoluble NSPs in lupin kernel isolate, which increased ileal viscosity and soluble NSP content of digesta. 6. It was concluded that development of appropriate exogenous enzyme products could lead to lupin NSPs being used as an energy source for poultry.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2000

The effects of enzyme addition to broiler diets containing high concentrations of canola or sunflower meal.

The effects of two commercial enzyme products on the nutritive value of canola meal (CM) and sunflower meal (SFM) were determined in a classical AME bioassay with special emphasis on the utilization of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP). The enzymes were added to semi-purified broiler grower diets based on corn and casein containing 35% CM or 35% SFM, respectively. Feed intake, growth, and AME of the diets were significantly (P < 0.001) affected by type of oilseed meal included in the diet. Birds fed the SFM-based diets had a significantly (P < 0.001) higher growth rate and AME and a lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) than did birds fed the CM-based diets. The addition of enzymes to either CM- or SFM-based diets had no significant effects on growth performance and AME; however, the addition of enzymes to CM-based diets resulted in a significant reduction in the concentration of soluble NSP in the jejunum (Enzyme A) or a significant reduction of total NSP in the jejunum (Enzyme B). The AMEn was significantly lower in diets containing CM supplemented with Enzyme B. The addition of enzymes to SFM-based diets significantly improved NSP digestion in the jejunum and protein digestion in the ileum. The results of this study indicate that commercial enzyme products had some effects in diets containing high concentrations of CM or SFM. However, these effects could only be seen after detailed analyses of feed and digesta and did not result in significant improvement in growth performance of broilers.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed1999

Effects of a xylanase on individual bird variation, starch digestion throughout the intestine, and ileal and caecal volatile fatty acid production in chickens fed wheat.

1. The effects of a xylanase on digesta viscosity and starch digestibility throughout the small intestine and volatile fatty acid production in the ileum and caeca were investigated in broilers fed on a low-metabolisable energy wheat diet. 2. The xylanase reduced (P<0.01) duodenal (2.9 vs. 1.7), jejunal (4.6 vs. 2.3) and ileal (14.0 vs. 3.9) digesta viscosities (mPas) and increased AME (P<0.01) of the wheat and starch digestibility (P<0.5) in the jejunum and ileum. Between-bird variability in ME and digestibility of starch was also reduced. 3. Enzyme supplementation reduced (P<0.05) fermentation in the ileum, but increased (P<0.05) it in the caeca. 4. The anti-nutritive effect of soluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) is related to their ability to increase digesta viscosity along the gut; this in turn causes changes in gut microflora and efficiency of nutrient utilisation by the chicken. Use of appropriate enzymes is an effective way of dealing with grains with high NSP content in poultry diets.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1998

White and wholemeal flours from wheats of low and higher apparent metabolizable energy differ in their nutritional effects in rats.

Wheats used for feeding poultry differ considerably in the ratio of soluble to insoluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and apparent metabolizable energy (AME). We have examined effects of whole and white flour from a wheat of low (12.02 MJ/kg of dry matter) and high (14.52 MJ/kg of dry matter) AME in rats fed a cholesterol-free diet. NSP concentrations were higher in whole flour from the low AME wheat but similar in both white flours. In contrast to chickens, food intake and body weight gain of rats were unaffected by diet. Plasma cholesterol concentrations were lower in rats fed whole wheat and low AME wheat. Cecal bile acids and neutral sterol pools were larger in rats fed whole wheat but were unaffected by wheat type. Negative correlations were found between digesta steroid pools and plasma cholesterol, consistent with greater fecal steroid excretion. Cecal digesta was greater in rats fed whole wheat and low AME wheat. Digesta pH was lower in rats fed whole wheat, but there was a significant interaction between wheat and flour type with lower pH in rats fed low AME white flour. Total volatile fatty acids (VFA) and acetate and butyrate pools were larger in rats fed whole wheat than in those fed white flour. Total and individual VFA pools were larger in rats fed low AME flours than in those fed high AME flours, apparently due to greater cecal starch fermentation in the former. Factors affecting wheat AME in chickens affect important metabolic variables in rats and may have similar actions in other species including humans.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed1997

A high amylose (amylomaize) starch raises proximal large bowel starch and increases colon length in pigs.

Young male pigs consumed a diet of fatty minced beef, safflower oil, skim milk powder, sucrose, cornstarch and wheat bran. Starch provided 50% of total daily energy either as low amylose cornstarch, high amylose (amylomaize) cornstarch or as a 50/50 mixture of corn and high amylose starch. Neither feed intake nor body weight gain as affected by dietary starch. Final plasma cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher than initial values in pigs fed the 50/50 mixture of corn and high amylose starch. Biliary concentrations of lithocholate and deoxycholate were lower in pigs fed high amylose starch. Large bowel length correlated positively with the dietary content of high amylose starch. Concentrations of butyrate in portal venous plasma were significantly lower in pigs fed high amylose starch than in those fed cornstarch. Neither large bowel digesta mass nor the concentrations of total or individual volatile fatty acids were affected by diet. However, the pool of propionate in the proximal colon and the concentration of propionate in feces were higher in pigs fed amylose starch. Concentrations of starch were uniformly low along the large bowel and were unaffected by starch type. In pigs with cecal cannula, digesta starch concentrations were higher with high amylose starch than with cornstarch. Electron micrographic examination of high amylose starch granules from these animals showed etching patterns similar to those of granules obtained from human ileostomy effluent. It appears that high amylose starch contributes to large bowel bacterial fermentation in the pig but that its utilization may be relatively rapid.

Amylose↗
PubMed1996

Effects of enzyme supplementation on the nutritive value of dehulled lupins.

1. Separate balance experiments were conducted to assess the potential of 2 commercial enzyme supplements to improve the nutritive value of dehulled lupin kernels. One supplement (enzyme A) contained primarily xylanase, pentosanase, hemicellulase activities and the other (enzyme B) primarily beta-glucanase, hemicellulase and pectinase activities. 2. The enzymes were added at 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 g/kg in diets containing (g/kg) lupins 300, sorghum 543, casein 91, celite (as marker) 20, and vitamins and minerals 46. Control diets, with and without enzyme supplementation contained sorghum and casein at 800 and 134 g/kg, respectively, and no lupins. 3. Growth rates and food conversion ratios (FCR) of birds over 7 days were not affected by lupin inclusion or enzyme supplementation. FCR of broilers fed on the sorghum diet was improved by enzyme A but not by enzyme B. 4. Ileal starch digestibilities were slightly lower in birds fed on the lupin control diet (no enzyme) compared to the basal control diet. 5. Enzyme A increased the AME of the lupins from 10.01 MJ/kg DM to 11.65 MJ/kg DM when added at 0.5 g/kg. Higher rates of supplementation did not lead to further increases in AME values. 6. Enzyme A did not improve starch digestion in the diets but insoluble non-starch polysaccharides concentration in the digesta decreased (50.41-42.71 g/g acid insoluble ash marker) with increasing enzyme supplementation, suggesting that the improvement in AME was the result of increased fermentation of fibre in the hindgut. 7. Enzyme B did not affect the AME of lupins nor the ileal digestibility of nutrients, but caused an increase in the concentrations of soluble non-starch polysaccharides in the ileal digesta of chickens (19.21-35.77 mg/ml). This was accompanied by an increase in ileal digesta viscosity (11.4-34.2 m.Pa/s).

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1996

Increased small intestinal fermentation is partly responsible for the anti-nutritive activity of non-starch polysaccharides in chickens.

1. The mechanism of the anti-nutritive activities of soluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) in broiler diets was investigated with emphasis on the inter-relationship between viscosity and fermentation along the gut. Isolated soluble NSP were added to a control diet to effect high gut viscosity, and in vivo depolymerisation of the NSP was achieved using a commercial glycanase. 2. Addition of soluble NSPs significantly (P < 0.01) increased gut viscosity, reduced the AME of the diet and depressed the growth and FCE of the birds. Enzyme supplementation of the NSP-enriched diet reversed the adverse effects, increasing (P < 0.01) weight gain, FCE and AME. Comparisons of the viscosities (mPa) in birds fed on the NSP-enriched diet and the same diet supplemented with enzyme were respectively: 11.9 v. 2.3 in the duodenum; 78.3 v. 4.4 in the jejunum and 409.3 v. 10.8 in the ileum. 3. Caecal volatile fatty acid concentration was markedly (P < 0.01) elevated by enzyme supplementation, whereas ileal fermentation was inhibited. 4. Microscopic examination revealed that, among birds fed on the NSP-enriched diet, there had been extensive small intestinal fermentation, which was eliminated by the enzyme supplementation. 5. Addition of a synthetic antibiotic (Amoxil) had no beneficial effects. 6. The current study demonstrated that increased fermentation occurs in the small intestine when a large amount of viscous NSPs is present in the diet and this is detrimental to the performance and well-being of poultry.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1995

Non-starch polysaccharide-degrading enzymes increase the performance of broiler chickens fed wheat of low apparent metabolizable energy.

The effect of a commercial glycanase product (Avizyme TX) on the performance of 4-wk-old broiler chickens fed wheats with low and normal apparent metabolizable energy values was studied. Controls were fed a corn-based diet. Supplementation with the enzyme product significantly (P < 0.01) increased the apparent metabolizable energy of the low metabolizable energy wheat from 12.02 to 14.94 MJ/kg dry matter. The apparent metabolizable energy value of the normal wheat was increased from 14.52 to 14.83 MJ/kg dry matter; this was, however, not significant. Birds fed the low metabolizable energy wheat diet had significantly (P < 0.01) higher digesta viscosity and lower small intestinal starch and protein digestibilities than birds fed the normal wheat diet. Chickens fed the low metabolizable energy wheat tended to grow less than those fed the normal wheat diet. When the low metabolizable energy wheat+enzyme diet was fed, digesta viscosity was significantly (P < 0.01) lower (20.28 vs. 10.36 mPa.s), and small intestinal digestibility coefficient of starch was significantly (P < 0.01) greater (0.584 vs. 0.861) relative to values in birds fed the low metabolizable energy wheat diet alone. Although the protein digestibility coefficient also increased from 0.689 to 0.745, the difference was not significant. Weight gain and feed efficiency of birds fed the low metabolizable energy wheat+enzyme equaled those of controls. The enzyme product significantly (P < 0.01) increased the solubilization of non-starch polysaccharides within the gastrointestinal tract of birds fed both types of wheat diets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1992

The inhibition of nutrient digestion by wheat pentosans.

Two pentosan-rich fractions (water-extractable, WEP, and alkali-extractable, AEP) were isolated from a wheat milling by-product. When both WEP and AEP were added to a commercial-type broiler diet the apparent metabolizable energy (AME), nitrogen retention, feed utilization and growth of broilers were significantly (P less than 0.001) depressed. These depressions were closely correlated (P less than 0.001) to the level of pentosans in the diets. At the highest level of inclusion of pentosans (equivalent to 40 g arabinoxylans as AEP/kg) the ileal digestibilities of starch, protein and lipid were decreased by 14.6, 18.7 and 25.8% respectively.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Anti-nutritive effect of wheat pentosans in broiler chickens: roles of viscosity and gut microflora.

1. The mechanism of the anti-nutritive activity of isolated wheat pentosans was investigated by examining the roles of digesta viscosity and gut microflora in broiler chickens. 2. Wheat pentosans were isolated by alkaline extraction and purified by sequential treatment with pancreatin, alpha-amylase and lichenase, and high-speed centrifugation. Some of the pentosans were depolymerised using a beta-xylanase, which reduced the relative viscosity of the polysaccharides 4 fold. 3. Inclusion of 35 g alkali-extractable pentosans (containing 854 g arabinoxylans/kg DM) per kg diet significantly (P less than 0.05) depressed broiler performance and the viscosity of the digesta of these birds was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher than that of controls. Addition of the same amount of depolymerised pentosans had no significant effect on bird performance and had less effect on digesta viscosity. 4. Supplementation of the diet containing wheat pentosans (30 g/kg) with procaine penicillin (150 mg/kg) did not improve bird performance. 4. It is concluded that the wheat pentosans elicit their anti-nutritive activity predominantly through increasing the viscosity of digesta.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Soluble wheat pentosans exhibit different anti-nutritive activities in intact and cecectomized broiler chickens.

The role of the ceca in the anti-nutritive effect of wheat pentosans was studied in intact and cectomized broiler chickens. Addition of wheat pentosans (equivalent to 30 g pure arabinoxylans/kg diet) depressed the digestibilities of starch, protein and fatty acids in both types of birds. Cecectomized birds were less efficient (P < 0.01) in dry matter and energy utilization, but starch digestion was not influenced by cecectomy. Inclusion of isolated wheat pentosans decreased the fecal protein digestibility by 18% in intact birds and by 7% in cecectomized chickens, with the bird type x pentosan interaction being significant (P < 0.05). The ileal pentosan digestibility was not affected either by addition of isolated pentosans or by cecectomy; however, the fecal pentosan digestibility was significantly (P < 0.001) influenced. Thus, in intact birds the fecal pentosan digestibility coefficient was 0.216 in birds fed the control diet and 0.646 in those fed the diet with wheat pentosans; in cecectomized chickens the corresponding values were 0.193 and 0.399, indicating a significant influence of the hindgut microflora on pentosan digestion. The ileal and fecal digestibilities of fatty acids were also determined. There was no interaction between bird type and pentosan addition in the ileal digestibilities of fatty acids. Depressions in the fecal digestibilities of fatty acids 14:0 and 18:0 were significantly (P < 0.05) greater in intact birds. Our results indicate that anti-nutritive effects of wheat pentosans in poultry are partially due to an increased activity of hindgut microflora.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1990

Anti-nutritive activity of wheat pentosans in broiler diets.

1. To assess their possible anti-nutritive activity wheat pentosans were isolated from a milling by-product and added at graded levels to a sorghum-based broiler chicken diet. 2. A water-insoluble pentosan preparation (WIP, 720 g arabinoxylan/kg) caused a depression of apparent metabolisable energy (AME) of 1.63 MJ/kg DM at the highest level of inclusion (41.9 g/kg). Broilers maintained on this diet showed significant growth depression and a decrease in feed conversion efficiency. 3. A water-soluble pentosan preparation (WSP, 520 g arabinoxylan/kg) showed less anti-nutritive activity. 4. In a second experiment the AME of rice (pearled), maize, sorghum, wheat, triticale, barley and rye was determined. The AME values obtained were highly correlated (r = -0.98, P less than 0.001) with the summed levels of pentosans and beta-glucans found in the cereals. 5. It was concluded that the pentosans of wheat possess anti-nutritive activity when present in broiler diets and that similar polysaccharides may influence the nutritive value of other cereals.

Animals↗