Md. Emran Hossain,
- Professor, Department of Animal Science and Nutrition, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi, Chattogram, , Bangladesh
Abstract
The inclusion of feed enzymes in broiler diets has emerged as a pivotal strategy for improving nutrient utilization, enhancing growth performance, and promoting overall health and welfare in modern poultry production. Feed enzymes, such as phytase, xylanase, and protease, facilitate the breakdown of complex molecules in feed ingredients, leading to increased bioavailability of essential nutrients and improved digestion efficiency. This review explores the underlying mechanisms by which feed enzymes contribute to enhanced nutrient absorption, focusing on their role in mitigating anti-nutritional factors and improving gut health. Additionally, the impact of enzyme supplementation on broiler performance, including weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and carcass quality, is examined in various production contexts. The influence of feed enzymes on animal welfare is also considered, particularly in relation to gut barrier function, immune response, and resilience to environmental stressors. By integrating scientific advancements with practical feeding strategies, this study highlights the potential of feed enzymes to optimize both productivity and welfare in broiler systems, while also contributing to more sustainable poultry production.
Keywords: Feed Enzymes, Broiler Diets, Nutrient, biological catalysts, Proteases
[This article belongs to International Journal of Biochemistry and Biomolecule Research ]
Md. Emran Hossain. Functional Role of Feed Enzymes in Broiler Diets: A Pathway to Enhanced Nutrient Utilization, Performance, Health and Welfare. International Journal of Biochemistry and Biomolecule Research. 2025; 03(02):9-17.
Md. Emran Hossain. Functional Role of Feed Enzymes in Broiler Diets: A Pathway to Enhanced Nutrient Utilization, Performance, Health and Welfare. International Journal of Biochemistry and Biomolecule Research. 2025; 03(02):9-17. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijbbr/article=2025/view=216185
References
1. Alagawany M, Elnesr SS, Farag MR. The role of exogenous enzymes in promoting growth and improving nutrient digestibility in poultry. Iran J Vet Res. 2018;19(3):157–64.
2. Ugwuanyi JO. Enzymes for Nutritional Enrichment of Agro-Residues as Livestock Feed. Elsevier Inc.; 2016. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-802392-1.00010-1
3. Adedokun SA, Olojede OC. Optimizing gastrointestinal integrity in poultry: The role of nutrients and feed additives. Front Vet Sci. 2019;5(JAN):348. doi:10.3389/fvets.2018.00348
4. Wickramasuriya SS, et al. Role of physiology, immunity, microbiota, and infectious diseases in the gut health of poultry. Vaccines. 2022;10(2):172.
5. Leinonen I, Kyriazakis I. How can we improve the environmental sustainability of poultry production? Proc Nutr Soc. 2016;75(3):265–73. doi:10.1017/S0029665116000094
6. Troncoso FD, Sánchez DA, Ferreira ML. Production of plant proteases and new biotechnological applications: An updated review. ChemistryOpen. 2022;11(3). doi:10.1002/open.202200017
7. Rabapane KJ, Mitema A, Nelson K, Feto NA. Bacillus spp. of ruminant origin as major sources of potential industrial amylases. In: Bacilli in Agrobiotechnology: Plant Stress Tolerance, Bioremediation, and Bioprospecting. Springer; 2022. p. 209–30. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-85465-2_10
8. Sureshkumar S, Song J, Sampath V, Kim I. Exogenous enzymes as zootechnical additives in monogastric animal feed: A review. Agric. 2023;13(12):1–21. doi:10.3390/agriculture13122195
9. Edison LK, Ragitha VM, Pradeep NS. Beta-glucanases in animal nutrition. In: Microbial Beta Glucanases: Molecular Structure, Functions and Applications. Springer; 2022. p. 73–83.
10. Adeola O, Cowieson AJ. Board-invited review: Opportunities and challenges in using exogenous enzymes to improve nonruminant animal production. J Anim Sci. 2011;89(10):3189–218. doi:10.2527/jas.2010-3715
11. Khattak FM, Pasha TN, Hayat Z, Mahmud A. Enzymes in poultry nutrition. J Anim Plant Sci. 2006;16(1–2):1–7.
12. Bedford MR, Apajalahti JH. The role of feed enzymes in maintaining poultry intestinal health. J Sci Food Agric. 2022;102(5):1759–70. doi:10.1002/jsfa.11670
13. Kiarie E, Romero LF, Nyachoti CM. The role of added feed enzymes in promoting gut health in swine and poultry. Nutr Res Rev. 2013;26(1):71–88. doi:10.1017/S0954422413000048
14. Bedford MR, Cowieson AJ. Exogenous enzymes and their effects on intestinal microbiology. Anim Feed Sci Technol. 2012;173(1–2):76–85. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2011.12.018
15. Ojha BK, Singh PK, Shrivastava N. Enzymes in the animal feed industry. In: Enzymes in Food Biotechnology: Production, Applications and Future Prospects. 2018. p. 93–109. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-813280-7.00007-4
16. Alam MJ, Howlider MAR, Pramanik MAH, Haque MA. Effect of exogenous enzyme in diet on broiler performance. Int J Poult Sci. 2003;2(2):168–73. doi:10.3923/ijps.2003.168.173
17. Cowieson AJ, Lu H, Ajuwon KM, Knap I, Adeola O. Interactive effects of dietary protein source and exogenous protease on growth performance, immune competence and jejunal health of broiler chickens. Anim Prod Sci. 2017;57(2):252–61. doi:10.1071/AN15523
18. Attia YA, Al-Khalaifah H, Abd El-Hamid HS, Al-Harthi MA, El-shafey AA. Effect of different levels of multienzymes on immune response, blood hematology and biochemistry, antioxidants status and organs histology of broiler chicks fed standard and low-density diets. Front Vet Sci. 2020;6(February):510. doi:10.3389/fvets.2019.00510
19. Lin Y, Olukosi OA. Exogenous enzymes influenced Eimeria-induced changes in cecal fermentation profile and gene expression of nutrient transporters in broiler chickens. Animals. 2021;11(9):1–19. doi:10.3390/ani11092698
20. Dalólio FS, et al. Exogenous enzymes in diets for broilers. Rev Bras Saude Prod Anim. 2016;17(2):149–61. doi:10.1590/S1519-99402016000200003
21. Mahmood T, Mirza MA, Nawaz H, Shahid M. Effect of different exogenous proteases on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass response in broiler chickens fed poultry by-product meal-based diets. Livest Sci. 2017;200:71–5. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2017.04.009
22. Costa FGP, Goulart CC, Figueiredo DF, Oliveira CFS, Silva JHV. Economic and environmental impact of using exogenous enzymes on poultry feeding. Int J Poult Sci. 2008;7(4):311–4. doi:10.3923/ijps.2008.311.314
23. Munir K, Maqsood S. A review on role of exogenous enzyme supplementation in poultry production. Emirates J Food Agric. 2013;25(1):66–80. doi:10.9755/ejfa.v25i1.9138
24. Chotinsky D. The use of enzymes to improve utilization of nutrient in poultry diets. Bulg J Agric Sci. 2015;21(2):429–35.
25. Konkol D, et al. Recent innovations in various methods of harmful gases conversion and its mechanism in poultry farms. Environ Res. 2022;214:113825. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2022.113825
26. Bundgaard AM, Dalgaard R, Gilbert C, Thrane M. Assessment of the potential of digestibility-improving enzymes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from broiler production. J Clean Prod. 2014;73:218–26. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.12.055
27. Zampiga M, Calini F, Sirri F. Importance of feed efficiency for sustainable intensification of chicken meat production: implications and role for amino acids, feed enzymes and organic trace minerals. Worlds Poult Sci J. 2021;77(3):639–59. doi:10.1080/00439339.2021.1959277
28. Oke OE, et al. Oxidative stress in poultry production. Poult Sci. 2024;103(9). doi:10.1016/j.psj.2024.104003
29. Adeola O, Cowieson AJ. Board-invited review: Opportunities and challenges in using exogenous enzymes to improve nonruminant animal production. J Anim Sci. 2011;89(10):3189–218.
30. Kogut MH. Issues and consequences of using nutrition to modulate the avian immune response. J Appl Poult Res. 2017;26(4):605–12. doi:10.3382/japr/pfx028
31. Acheampong S. Future of broiler farming: Trends, challenges, and opportunities. 2024. doi:10.5772/intechopen.1006556
32. Acamovic T. Commercial application of enzyme technology for poultry production. Worlds Poult Sci J. 2001;57(3):236–42. doi:10.1079/wps20010016

International Journal of Biochemistry and Biomolecule Research
| Volume | 03 |
| Issue | 02 |
| Received | 11/04/2025 |
| Accepted | 24/05/2025 |
| Published | 07/07/2025 |
| Publication Time | 87 Days |
Login
PlumX Metrics