ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE January 2025 25 timizing nutrient digestibility and reducing undigested substrates, while also modulating gut microflora to promote beneficial gut bacteria. Better gut health means reduced challenges and improved nutrient absorption – all of which help to improve animal performance. SPOTLIGHT ON NEW SCIENCE Although extensive research has been conducted over the years on the use of enzymes and gut health solutions in commercial settings, Danisco Animal Health & Nutrition, a business of IFF, recently worked on a study1 to examine the effect of specific enzymes and feed additives to mitigate the known negative effects of alternative ingredients. The study focused on which feed solutions could help maintain – and improve – performance of broilers fed soybean meal-free diets, which enzyme/feed additive strategy achieves the best performance, and if it is possible to achieve economic equivalence for 100% soy-free diets. In this major test case study, 2,574 Ross 308 male broilers, with 22 birds x 13 floor pens per dietary treatment, were used. Nine treatments were developed in total; one commercially relevant SBM-based diet (control supplemented with IFF Axtra® PHY GOLD phytase and Danisco® Xylanase) and eight alternative diets formulated without SBM and soy oil. Each group was supplemented with two levels of crude protein (CP) and different combinations of enzymes and additives – with promising results. The combination of low CP, supplemented with XB enzymes (Axtra® XB) and probiotics (Enviva® PRO), in addition to phytase (Axtra® PHY GOLD) and protease (Axtra® PRO) was found to be the best performing alternative SBM-free treatment.2 This blend was also found to maintain feed cost per kilogram mean body weight (BW). These encouraging findings are the first to suggest that SBM could be completely replaced without significantly compromising breed performance objectives and cost, while aligning with a more sustainable strategy. LOOKING AHEAD In light of growing environmental concerns surrounding SBM and increasing pressures to meet sustainability goals, it has never been a better time for producers to explore ingredient alternatives. Our recent proof of concept study highlights the potential of enzymes and gut health solutions to mitigate the effects of using alternative ingredients in broiler diets, in line with growing demand. Adopting new concepts and practices in animal nutrition and health requires reliable supporting data under practical conditions, and this latest research provides an excellent basis for further studies on the subject. We’re committed to solving current market challenges, and helping to improve producers’ sustainability efforts through greater use of locally sourced raw materials, which is another important step in driving positive change across the industry. References 1Marchal L, Bello A, Archer G, Sobotik EB, Dersjant-Li Y. Total replacement of soybean meal with alternative plant-based ingredients and a combination of feed additives in broiler diets from 1 day of age during the whole growing period. Poult Sci. 2024 Jul;103(7):103854. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103854. Epub 2024 May 16. PMID: 38815497; PMCID: PMC11170138. 2Ibid About Rachael Hardy After graduating with a BSc in Animal Science, Rachael Hardy joined Danisco Animal Nutrition & Health (IFF) as part of the global Innovation team conducting university scale animal trials. For the past ten years, she has worked within the global technical marketing team, with a focus on phytase application and combination product selection in poultry and swine animals.
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