THE EFFECTS OF PROTEASE AND CARBOHYDRASE SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE NUTRITIVE-VALUE OF CANOLA-MEAL FOR POULTRY - IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO STUDIES

An in vitro incubation system was used to assess a variety of enzyme p reparations regarding activities toward protein and carbohydrate compo nents in canola meal with the objective of identifying those preparati ons that possessed potential for improvement of the nutritive value of canola meal. Promising preparations were evaluated further in 2-week growth trials utilizing 4-day-old broiler chickens. Enhanced protein h ydrolysis was demonstrated for several of the protease enzyme preparat ions studied in the in vitro incubation system. Protein hydrolysis was most effective when either pancreatin or pronase were included in the incubation medium along with the protease enzyme and for the most eff ective protease preparations values for percent of total protein hydro lyzed exceeded those for pancreatin or pronase acting alone, The most effective protease preparation also resulted in improved broiler chick growth performance when added to semipurified canola meal diets, Whil e some carbohydrase enzyme preparations were shown to be effective in the in vitro test of cell wall polysaccharide solubilization, only a t rend toward improved growth performance was noted when broiler chicken s were fed semipurified canola meal diets containing these enzyme prep arations. A synergistic response in growth of young (4-11 days of age) broiler chickens was noted when phytase, carbohydrase and protease en zymes were added to wheat/canola meal based diet deficient in availabl e phosphorus.