Producers can maximise xylanase benefits through understanding its mechanisms

Recent swine trials have shown that xylanase introduction early in the nursery period and fed through to slaughter increases overall pig finisher performance.

Dr Pete Wilcock, Global Technical Manager at AB Vista, explains how the response may be potentially associated with three mechanisms in a new video, released by AB Vista.

“The first mechanism is the ability to reduce digesta viscosity. The addition of xylanase breaks down the long chain arabinoxylans, which improves nutrient digestibility,” says Dr Wilcock.

“A second mechanism of xylanase is that it has the ability to breakdown insoluble arabinoxylans in the plant cell wall, allowing endogenous enzymes of the animal to breakdown starch and protein.”

The third mechanism which Dr Wilcock discusses in the video is the ability of xylanase to produce prebiotic xylo-oligomers through the breakdown of long chain arabinoxylans (AXOS).

“Xylo-oligomers are fermented by microflora in the lower and hind gut of the animal, and can result in increased Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA) which could be used as an energy source; for bacterial control; or with an increased level of butyrate, it could improve the epithelial integrity of the animal,” adds Dr Wilcock.

Dr Wilcock points out that the fermentation of the xylo-oligomers results in greater VFA production which may result in the added benefit of reducing pathogen bacteria in the hind gut, while leading to greater retention time in the stomach resulting in an increased overall diet digestibility

He adds that understanding the xylanase to be used is important and that certain characteristics should be identified when selecting a xylanase, including being assayable, gastro-stable and thermostable when pelleting.