Producing feed additives which survive high temperatures and manufacturing processes, as well as being able to cope with a wide variety of conditions in the animal gut, can be a complex task. Ensuring these goals are met cannot be done at the expense of consistent results on-farm.
In this Industry Perspectives, we discuss these issues with Hayden Shin, Endo-Power Product Manager for EASY BIO. He talks through the use of solid-state fermentation to produce the multi-enzyme product and the practical advantages this confers, as well as explaining how it works across a wide range of pH levels.
With weather and sourcing issues causing supply chain disruption, the conversation also looks at using lower grade and alternative feed sources, as well as discussing practical on-farm results and ROI.
[Feedinfo] Your product Endo-Power has been established for some time, but could you give a brief introduction to it before we delve into more detail?
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[Hayden Shin] Endo-Power, a multi-enzyme product of EASY BIO, is specifically designed to optimise the nutritional value of corn-soybean meal diets by breaking down non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs). It is formulated with enzymes, such as α-Galactosidase, β-Mannanase, Xylanase, β-Glucanase, along with additional ancillary enzymes, all selected for their effectiveness in hydrolysing NSPs. Endo-Power improves nutrient availability and feed efficiency by degrading these complex NSPs into simpler and more digestible sugars, which leads to increased growth performance and uniformity of animals. Additionally, it contributes to more efficient and cost-effective farming operations by reducing feed costs and enhancing overall animal health and productivity. |
Hayden Shin, Endo-Power Product Manager, EASY BIO |
[Feedinfo] Endo-Power is manufactured using solid-state fermentation. What does this entail and what advantages does the process offer?
[Hayden Shin] Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is a biomolecule manufacturing process in which microorganisms grow on solid materials. For Endo-Power, the SSF involves the use of two types of non-GMO fungi, known for their high efficiency in producing enzymes that break down NSPs. The solid substrates used in this process serve as both the growth medium and the nutrient source for these fungi. Furthermore, enzymes produced through SSF are more stable under conditions encountered during feed processing, such as heat and pressure. Thus, SSF can produce enzymes that remain stable across various environmental conditions including moisture and pH levels.
[Feedinfo] As an enzyme product, how does it stand up to the rigours of the feed manufacturing process, which can often entail high temperatures?
[Hayden Shin] Enzyme heat stability is one of the most important factors when selecting enzyme products for processed feeds. Endo-Power has been produced to withstand the high temperatures encountered during feed manufacturing processes such as pelleting.
The heat stability of Endo-Power was tested under various conditions. The results of tests demonstrated that Endo-Power retained a high level of enzymatic activity even after exposure to high temperatures (up to 90degC). Exposure of Endo-Power at 90degC for 10 minutes saw all key enzymes, including α-Galactosidase, β-Mannanase, Xylanase, and β-Glucanase, maintain over 90% of their activity.
Furthermore, a sugar release test, which is a useful method for demonstrating how efficiently the enzyme breaks down target substrates, was conducted on feed samples containing Endo-Power obtained before and after the pelleting process. The results showed that Endo-Power maintained over 90% of its relative activity.
This heat stability can be attributed to SSF process. The SSF has been shown to enhance the thermal stability of enzymes compared to liquid fermentation. During the SSF process, environmental conditions can promote the formation of non-protein compounds, protecting the enzymes from heat. As a result, the enzymes produced by SSF are more stable in high temperatures. Therefore, Endo-Power produced by the SSF process has excellent heat stability; it enables maintaining enzyme activities regardless of feed processing.
[Feedinfo] It can often be difficult to ensure enzyme products work across the broad range of pH levels found in the target species’ intestinal tract. Is this something you have focussed on, and, if so, can you tell us more?
[Hayden Shin] The efficacy of enzymes across the varying pH environments of an animal's gastrointestinal tract is a significant focus for us. Animal digestive systems typically experience a wide range of pH levels, from highly acidic conditions in the stomach (pH 2 to 3) to more neutral or slightly alkaline conditions in the small intestine (pH 6 to 7). To ensure Endo-Power performs effectively throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract, we have incorporated enzymes that are stable and active across this broad pH spectrum. The enzymes in Endo-Power, including α-Galactosidase, β-Mannanase, Xylanase, and β-Glucanase, have been tested for their stability at different pH levels. The results showed that these enzymes maintain over 90% of their activity across a wide pH range (from pH 2 to 7), demonstrating their stability in both acidic and neutral environments.
This broad pH stability ensures that NSPs are efficiently broken down as they pass through the stomach and small intestine, improving nutrient absorption and feed efficiency. By maintaining enzyme activity across the wide pH range of the gastrointestinal tract, Endo-Power consistently provides nutritional benefits, making it a reliable choice for improving animal nutrient efficiency.
[Feedinfo] Are feed mills dealing with increasing variability in the quality of maize/corn and soya they are using (due to climate events, sourcing difficulties etc), and, if so, what impact is this having and what can they do to help offset this?
[Hayden Shin] Climate change is causing feed mills to experience increased variability in the quality of maize/corn and soya. This variability can significantly affect the NSP content of feed ingredients, leading to inconsistencies in overall feed quality. For instance, variations in the NSP content of maize (7 to 12% on a DM basis) or soybean meal (13 to 20% on a DM basis) can impact the digestibility and nutrient availability in feed, affecting animal growth and performance.
Endo-Power offers a nutritional solution by effectively targeting various NSP substrates helping to stabilise overall feed quality despite fluctuations in NSP content. Sugar release tests with Endo-Power have shown that it increased the amount of reducing sugars released, regardless of the quality of maize/corn and soybean meal. These findings demonstrate that Endo-Power supplementation can mitigate the impact of raw material variability.
Moreover, should feed mills need to substitute maize/corn or soybean meal with alternative feed ingredients due to sourcing difficulties, Endo-Power remains influential. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) trials demonstrated that Endo-Power could break down various feed ingredients, including corn, soybean meal, wheat, copra meal, palm kernel meal, rapeseed, and guar meal. The results indicated that Endo-Power treatment led to the decomposition of these ingredients, forming smaller particles. Thus, Endo-Power supplementation helps maintain consistent feed quality, even when alternative or less conventional feed ingredients are used.
[Feedinfo] Can you tell us about trials you have run which have demonstrated the impact Endo-Power has on physical and financial performance on-farm, and what is the typical RoI?
[Hayden Shin] We have conducted numerous animal trials to evaluate the effects of Endo-Power on animal productivity. The results have shown significant improvements in growth performance including as average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). When applied at the recommended dosage, Endo-Power is expected to improve ADG by 6.2% and FCR by 5.2% in broilers, while enhancing ADG by 7.0% and FCR by 5.7% in pigs. Endo-Power supplementation can reduce the use of energy sources in feed by breaking down NSPs. We provide a validated matrix value, recommending a 100kcal ME/kg reduction in broilers and swine feeds with the recommended dietary level of Endo-Power. By helping animals utilise energy from their feed more efficiently, Endo-Power reduces the use of energy sources in feed formulation and leads to feed cost savings.
The data from our economic analyses also highlight the financial benefits of Endo-Power. From the trials, the additional profit per pig from supplementing Endo-Power in a grower diet is over 4 USD per head. When applying the ROI (additional profit/additional feed cost) formula, the average figure was over 7, although it varied depending on the livestock and feed ingredient type. These results underscore Endo-Power's dual benefits: enhancing animal growth performance while reducing feed costs, thus offering high net profit. By improving FCR and allowing for energy down-specification, Endo-Power contributes to better animal productivity and increases the economic efficiency of animal production.
