Development of a multipurpose feed enzyme analyzer to estimate and evaluate the profitability of using feed enzyme...

Previous studies have demonstrated that a log-linear equation could accurately predict chick performance when a feed enzyme was added to a diet and that the slope of the equation provided a measure of the efficacy of different enzymes. The objective of the study was to develop a software package, a Multipurpose Feed Enzyme Analyzer (MPFEA), based on an equation designed to evaluate the profitability of using feed enzymes. A high correlation between the efficacy of different feed enzymes (B values, the slopes of the equations) and the maximal profits was obtained when feed enzymes were added to a barley-based diet (r2 = 0.99, P < 0.0005). In contrast, there was a low correlation between the B values and the maximal profits when a feed enzyme was added to different cereal-based diets (r2 = 0.61, P = 0.2171). It appeared that there is not always a close association between efficacy of an enzyme when added to different cereal-based diets and the corresponding profitability. The MPFEA was highly versatile, as any combination of inputs such as the amounts of a feed enzyme and a substituted cereal required to yield a profit level could be determined. In conclusion, the MPFEA can accurately evaluate profitability of using different feed enzymes; select the most profitable cereal for a given feed enzyme; determine the optimal amounts of a feed enzyme, a cereal, or both; and even estimate the alternate price for a feed enzyme and a cereal. It should provide a useful tool for nutritionists.