USE OF EXOGENOUS ENZYMES IN POULTRY NUTRITION

The avian digestive system presents inherent limitations, including the absence of enzymes capable of degrading non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) and rapid intestinal transit, which limit the utilization of plant-based ingredients. Antinutritional factors such as phytate, which chelates calcium, zinc, and iron, and soluble NSPs, which increase digesta viscosity, compromise the digestibility of essential nutrients. To overcome these barriers, exogenous enzymes (phytases, carbohydrases, proteases, and amylases) act on specific substrates, releasing phosphorus, amino acids, and energy while mitigating antinutritional effects. Consequently, enzyme supplementation significantly improves production performance, yielding weight gains of up to 8.64% and improved feed conversion. From an environmental perspective, phytase reduces phosphorus excretion (mitigating eutrophication), while proteases decrease nitrogen excretion. Enzymes also offer formulation flexibility, allowing for the inclusion of regional alternative ingredients (wheat bran, sorghum, canola, DDGs) without compromising performance; furthermore, they positively modulate gut microbiota by generating prebiotic oligosaccharides that reduce pathogens (such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli) and strengthen mucosal integrity, thereby reinforcing their role in antibiotic-free poultry production. However, enzyme efficacy depends on factors such as bird age and strain, diet composition, and thermal processing (pelleting), which requires thermostable sources or post-pelleting application, as well as dosage, method of application, and synergistic interactions with probiotics and organic acids. Thus, exogenous enzymes transcend the role of mere additives, establishing themselves as strategic pillars for balancing cost reduction, environmental sustainability, and gut health in modern poultry farming.