Xylanase inhibitors affect the action of exogenous enzymes used to supplement Triticum durum-based diets for broiler chicks

Diets containing low-quality durum wheat (716 g/kg) for production of pasta were used to feed male broiler chicks. The efficacy of xylanase supplementation and the impact of xylanase inhibitors on losses in exogenous enzyme activity were analyzed. Birds fed on the basal diet, not supplemented with recombinant xylanases or Roxazyme G, reached a BW of 1,509 g with a feed conversion ratio of 1.77 at d 28. Growing performance was above that expected for the breed used, whereas feed conversion ratios were relatively higher. None of the 3 xylanase preparations under analysis affected growing performances and feed efficiency of broiler chicks. The activity of feed xylanases was considerably reduced in the presence of durum wheat extracts. The results suggest that reduction of exogenous enzyme activity was due to the action of durum wheat xylanase inhibitors and not to proteolysis.