Improving Animal Nutrition
Enzyme use in animal feed has a significant impact on the sustainability of animal protein production by improving feedstock utilization and reducing waste pollution.
Below are some examples of enzymes that are used in animal feed:
Phytase
Adding Phytase to animal feed enhances nutrient uptake and reduces environmental emissions, providing safer, more affordable, and more sustainable protein for the rapidly-growing world market. Studies show the environmental benefits of supplementing animal feed with phytase resulted in phosphate emissions reduced by 1.45 kg per kg phytase.1
1 Environmental impact of using specialty feed ingredients in swine and poultry production: A life cycle assessment. E. Kebreab, A. Leidke, et al. June 2016. American Society of Animal Science.
Amylase
Feed amylases can help poultry by degrading starch in the feed, thus increasing the energy value of the feed. This allows farmers to save energy-rich feed ingredients such as animal fat or vegetable oil. The saved animal fat can then be used as a feedstock for production of biodiesel, which can help reduce the use of fossil fuels, cut CO2 emissions and lower contribution to climate change.
Protease
Protein is an essential nutrient in livestock production and animal feed often contains large amounts of protein-rich ingredients, such as soy. Only part of the protein is digestible, however, and the undigested portion is responsible for ammonia (NH3), nitrate (NO3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions into the environment via manure.
Feed proteases degrade protein into smaller pieces to improve its digestibility—for instance, in poultry feed. This improves the feed’s protein value and reduces manure’s harmful emissions.
Industry Sustainability Collaborations:
The Specialty Feed Ingredients Sustainability (SFIS) project is led by IFIF and the EU Association of Specialty Feed Ingredients and their Mixtures (FEFANA) and brings together a consortium of international companies and associations dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of livestock through innovative specialty feed ingredients.
https://ifif.org/our-work/project/the-speciality-feed-ingredients-sustainability-project-sfis/