The use of enzymes to improve cereal diets for animal feeding

Exogenous enzyme supplementation of animal feeds has been practised successfully since the late 1980s. Early research demonstrated that enzymes improve the nutritional value of several main ingredients such as barley, wheat, rye and triticale. More recent studies have associated feed enzymes with environmental and welfare benefits. By 2000, around 60 enzyme products had been authorised in the European Union (EU) as feed additives, and currently around 40 of these have attained definitive EU approval. This paper reviews EU legislation relating to feed enzymes and recent advances in the understanding of enzyme properties, future potential and modes of action when added to animal feeds. First, the legislative history of feed enzymes in the EU is summarised. Recent developments in the knowledge of substrate structure and the influence of enzyme inhibitors are then discussed. Also considered is the application of enzymes to maize/soybean diets, traditionally thought to be less sensitive to improvement with enzymes. Finally, an evaluation is made of the potential of enzymes to reduce environmental pollution and to improve animal health, welfare and performance in a possible future scenario where both coccidiostats and antibiotic growth promoters are prohibited. (c) 2006 Society of Chemical Industry