Optimization of Compound Enzyme-Assisted Fermented Concentrate and Its Effects on Growth, Digestibility, and Rumen...

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Ruminant Nutrition
• Enzyme Technology

Background:

• Microbial fermentation enhances nutrient availability in feed concentrates.
• Compound enzymes can potentially improve the efficacy of microbial fermentation.
• Optimizing enzyme formulations is crucial for maximizing benefits in feed processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and optimize a compound enzyme-assisted microbially fermented concentrate for Yanbian steers.
• To evaluate the effects of this enhanced concentrate on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and rumen parameters.
• To analyze the impact on the rumen bacterial community structure.

Main Methods:

• Response surface methodology was used to optimize the enzyme formulation (protease, amylase, β-mannanase).
• Fermentation duration was determined using membership function analysis.
• Yanbian steers were fed either standard microbially fermented concentrate (MF) or enzyme-assisted concentrate (MEF) for 100 days, with performance and digestibility metrics measured.

Main Results:

• MEF significantly increased final body weight (3.9%), average daily gain (35.7%), and dry matter intake (12.1%) compared to MF.
• Feed conversion ratio was reduced by 18.4% with MEF, alongside improved digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, NDF, and ADF.
• MEF decreased blood urea nitrogen and ruminal NH3-N, while increasing ruminal volatile fatty acids and altering rumen bacterial community structure.

Conclusions:

• Compound enzyme addition to microbially fermented concentrate significantly enhances growth performance and feed efficiency in Yanbian steers.
• The treatment improves nutrient utilization and positively modulates rumen fermentation characteristics and bacterial community structure.
• This optimized feeding strategy offers a promising approach for improving beef cattle production.