Enhancing Broiler Chick Growth with Locally Produced Thermostable Cellulase in Fibrous Diets
Enhancing Broiler Chick Growth with Locally Produced Thermostable Cellulase in Fibrous Diets
Aisha Khalid1,2, Roheela Yasmeen1*, Farah Ahmad1, Mudassar Aslam2, Muhammad Tayyab2
ABSTRACT
Cellulase has been utilized in poultry plant-based diets to enhance nutritional value by neutralizing anti-nutritional factors. This study investigated the effects of a recombinant thermostable cellulase from Thermotoga naphthophila (CELTN) on the growth performance of broiler chicks when added to corn-based feed. The thermostable cellulase was produced using BL21 CodonPlus cells with the pET28a-Cellu vector under optimized conditions. A total of 150 one-day-old, unsexed broiler chicks were divided into five treatment groups, each further subdivided into three replicates of 10 chicks with an initial average weight of 39 grams. Group A served as the negative control with a non-enzyme supplemented diet, while Group E was the positive control, receiving a diet supplemented with 500 IU of commercial neutral cellulase. Groups B, C, and D received diets supplemented with locally produced recombinant thermostable cellulase at concentrations of 500, 750, and 1000 IU/kg, respectively. The results, analyzed using ANOVA and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test, showed significant improvements (P < 0.05) in weight gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency ratio for enzyme-treated groups, particularly from the 3rd to 7th week of the trial. Group D, with 1000 IU of the local cellulase, demonstrated the most significant effects, with a weight gain of 3460.11 grams, feed intake of 6332.40 grams, and a feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.83. These results indicate that the inclusion of locally produced thermostable cellulase up to 1000 IU/kg in broiler feed significantly enhances growth performance (P < 0.05). This pilot study suggests that CELTN is a viable candidate for the poultry feed industry and could improve economic efficiency by reducing reliance on imported enzymes.
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