Effect of Enzymes on Digestibility of Low Quality Roughage

The nylon bag technique was used to test the effect various enzyme preparations might have upon the digestibility of various fractions of a ration composed of poor quality grass hay. The ether extract portion of the ration digests at a more rapid rate than does dry matter, cellulose or crude fiber. The largest of the significant differences were found in the digestibility of the ether extract portion of the ration with HT Proteolytic and XC-597 significantly reducing ether extract digestibility below Pectinase and the control, whereas Fungal Amylase and Fungal Protease gave a significant increase. The 3.1% reduction of dry matter digestibility by XC-597 and the 2.5% increase in dry matter digestibility by Fungal Protease as compared to the control are probably of much greater economic significance. The digestibility of crude fiber and cellulose was significantly reduced by XC-597. Fungal Protease significantly increased cellulose digestibility above XC-597, HT Proteolytic and Fungal Amylase. These data suggest that the Fungal Protease may warrant further investigation as a supplment to poor quality roughage diets.