Effect of supplementing β-mannanase and α-galactosidaseto toasted guar meal based diets on the performance, nutrient retention, carcass traits and immune parameters in commercial broilers

The response of broiler chicks to diets [basal diet (BD) containing toasted guar meal (TGM)-at 150 g/kg diet] supplemented with two levels of β-mannanase (β-M) enzyme at 36g (T-1) and 72g (T-2) and α-galactosidase (α-G) enzyme at 22g (T-3) and 44g (T-4) alone per 100kg diet were added. T-5 consisted of a combination of 36g β-M and 22g α-G per 100 kg diet. T-6 consisted of a combination of 72g β-M and 44g α-G per 100 kg diet was studied. All the diets were iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous and fed ad-lib to corresponding treatment groups from day old to 42 days of age. The estimated residual galactomannan gum content was 4.98g/100g. Body weight gain and performance index score of broilers decreased (P<0.05) in all TGM test diets as compared to birds fed CD, but feed efficiency (P>0.05) remains unaffected. However, enzyme supplementation to TGM diets had improved (P<0.05) the body weight compared to broilers fed BD. Gross energy and nitrogen retention decreased (P<0.05) with TGM inclusion. Ready-to-cook yields, breast meat, abdominal fat and pancreas were not influenced by either enzyme supplementation at each level. Serum total protein concentration decreased significantly in broilers fed TGM diets compared to those on the CD. Humoral and cell mediated immune response remains static. It is concluded that addition of β-M and α-G either alone or in combination to the diets containing TGM did not proved to be beneficial for broilers.