Effect of feeding Enspira™ on fiber digestibility

Abstract Text: Two studies were conducted to evaluate the impact of treating feeds with a fibrolytic enzyme (Enspira). The first experiment (Exp. 1) evaluated the effect of treating feedstuffs with Enspira on in vitro dry matter digestibility (DMD) and gas production. Twelve feeds were treated with 4 levels of the enzyme (0, 125, 250, or 375 mg/kg of DM).  Experiment 2 (Exp. 2) evaluated the effect of treating a feedlot diet with Enspira on in vivo DM, OM, NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose digestibility. In Exp. 2, 4 ruminally cannulated steers were utilized in a 3 period switchback design. Treatments consisted of a basal diet treated with the enzyme (enzyme), and the same basal diet without the enzyme treatment (control). Enspira was added to the total mixed ration at a rate of 125 mg/kg of DM. In situ bags containing corn bran, high moisture corn (HMC), corn residue, and corn silage were incubated for 0, 6, 12, 16, 24, 48, 96 h in each steer. Data from both experiments were analyzed using the mixed procedures of SAS. In Exp. 1, enzyme treatment increased in vitro DMD of HMC, wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS), corn bran, and husks (P < 0.05). There was a quadratic increase in gas production for corn leaves, as well as a linear increase in gas production for corn bran treated with increasing levels of Enspira (P < 0.05). In Exp. 2, no differences (P > 0.25) in NDF digestion rates were observed between the control and enzyme treatment for corn bran (6.42 vs. 5.61 %/h, respectively), HMC (2.20 vs. 2.20 %/h, respectively), or corn residue (2.26 vs. 2.16 %/h, respectively). The control had a higher NDF digestion rate (5.22 %/h) than the enzyme (1.74%/h) for corn silage (P < 0.01). There were no differences (P > 0.40) in in vivo digestibility of OM (82.3 vs. 80.2%), NDF (63.5 vs. 55.2%), ADF (56.3 vs. 51.2%), or hemicellulose (70.7 vs. 63.0%) between the control and enzyme treatment. Total VFA concentrations (113.0 vs. 113.3 mMol; control vs. enzyme) were not different (P = 0.72). Feeding Enspira showed some improvements on in vitro DMD and gas production, but when used in an in vivo digestion study no differences in digestibility, NDF digestion rate, or rumen fermentation were observed.

Keywords: cattle, enzyme, fiber