Impact of Locally Characterized Protease from Geobacillus SBS 4S on the Growth of Poultry Bird

Waheed Ahmad1, Muhammad Tayyab1*, Bushra Muneer2*, Abu Saeed Hashmi1, Mansurud Din Ahmad3, Shagufta Saeed1, Muhammad Nauman Aftab2,

Sehrish Firyal1, Muhammad Wasim1, Muhammad Azam4, Muhammad Talha5

and Ali Raza Awan1

1Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Abdul Qadir Jillani Road, Lahore, Pakistan

2Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan

3Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Abdul Qadir Jillani Road, Lahore, Pakistan

4Department of Statistics, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Abdul Qadir Jillani Road, Lahore, Pakistan

5Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Ravi Campus Pattoki, District Kasur, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Present study was conducted to determine the efficacy of novel thermostable protease in poultry production. The protease was produced from Geobacillus sp. SBS-4S using Luria Bertani medium and it was used as supplement in poultry feed trial. The data were statistically analyzed by Multivariate Analysis of Variance. For feeding, 150 day-old broiler chicks were divided randomly into 5 groups having 30 chicks each. Group A served as negative control, group B, C and D as experimental groups which were supplemented in the basal diet with 2500, 5000 and 7500 IU/kg of locally characterized thermostable protease while group E was supplemented with the commercially available neutral protease (5000 IU/kg) that served as a positive control. The trial lasted for five weeks and during the trial period birds were offered ad libitum access to water and feed. The maximal weight gain was recorded when the feed was supplemented with 7500 IU/Kg of locally characterized protease. The evaluation of data of various groups obtained after 3rd, 4th and 5th weeks of trial demonstrated significant change (P≤ 0.05) in weight gain, feed up take and feed conversion ratio (FCR) as compared to negative control. Locally produced protease showed promising results as compared to positive control which is being used currently in the poultry industry. The weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of 1891.54g, 3750g and 1.98 of experimental group D were comparable to 1874.49g, 3740 g and 1.995 in case of positive control. The ability of protease to enhance weight gain, feed consumption and FCR in poultry birds makes it a strong candidate for the replacement of imported counterpart being utilized currently in poultry feed industry.

Article Information

Received 24 March 2022

Revised 16 June 2022

Accepted 05 July 2022

Available online 14 October 2022

(early access)

Published 30 November 2023

Authors’ Contribution

WA performed experimental work. M.T. planned and supervised the study and guided for manuscript write-up and editing. MNA, ASH, MDA, SF, SS, BM and MT helped in facilitated the student for the conduction of experiments. MW and ARA helped in manuscript write up. MA helped in data analysis.

Key words

Protease, Geobacillus sp. SBS-4S, broiler, Weight gain, Feed supplementation, Evaluation

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjz/20220324050332

* Corresponding author: muhammad.tayyab@uvas.edu.pk

0030-9923/2024/0001-17 $ 9.00/0

Copyright 2024 by the authors. Licensee Zoological Society of Pakistan.

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

INTRODUCTION

Poultry sector is one of the fast growing industries of Pakistan that is playing a significant role in bridging gap in meat demands at economical prices (Hussain et al., 2015). However, the increased demand of feed ingredients has resulted in high feed cost and narrowing down the profit margin (Thirumalaisamy et al., 2016). The plant source proteins derived from grains and soyabean contain various complex molecules which are not being hydrolyzed by the mono-gastric animals due to low or unavailability of enzymes. This problem can be overcomed by supplementing the poultry feed with hydrolytic enzymes, responsible for the breakdown of complex to simple absorbable monomeric components.

The research on utilization of exogenous enzymes in poultry feed to decrease the total nutrient excretion and to enhance nutrient utilization by improving the digestive process has been ongoing for the past several years (Leeson and Summers, 2005; Cambell and Bedford, 1992; Rada et al., 2016; Ganapathi et al., 2014; Seskeviciene et al., 1999; Toghyani et al., 2017). During the first week, the broiler chicken’s gastro intestinal tract is not fully developed. Therefore, the optimal level of enzymatic secretions is not gained (Mahagna et al., 1995). This deficiency of endogenous enzymes is further augmented due to high demand of amino acids and fast passage rate by the body of broiler chicks (Doskovic et al., 2013).

There are reports on digestibility of amino acids and crude proteins indicating that considerable amounts of proteins (18-20%) travel through the gastrointestinal tract without being digested completely (Lemme et al., 2004; Wang and Parsons, 1998; Angel et al., 2011; Applegate and Angel, 2014). This aggravated amino acid demand can be fulfilled either by utilizing higher protein content or by supplementing the feed with protease for aiding the endogenous proteolytic system for the enhanced digestion of dietary protein. Therefore, poultry feed has been supplemented with exogenous proteases to improve nutritive value of poultry diet (Cowieson and Roos, 2016). The use of synthetic enzymes significantly decrease the amounts of excreted nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen and stimulate the digestibility of nutrients resulting in reduction of anti-nutritional impact of complexation of phosphorous and amino acids (Sabir et al., 2018; Khalid et al., 2019; Costa et al., 2006; Ghazi et al., 2002).

The feed supplemented with proteases significantly improves the body weight, feed conversion ratio and protein digestibility of feed stuffs in poultry chicks (Oxenboll et al., 2011; Fru-Nji et al., 2011; Puente and Lopez, 2004; Angel et al., 2011; Freitas et al., 2011; Bolan et al., 2010; Ndazigaruye et al., 2019; Mahmood et al., 2017). The increased digestibility of poultry birds increases the possibility of reduced nitrogen excretion by the bird’s body, reduced ammonia production from the excreta of animals, decrease the content of protein wasted and cost of production (Oxenboll et al., 2011). The addition of protease to the poultry feed shows more prominent and positive effects on feed conversion ratio (FCR), which leads to the significant environmental benefits (Angel et al., 2011; Fru-Nji et al., 2011). Many scientists have worked on the characterization of proteases for the poultry feed industry but unfortunately none of the protease is available in the market for the fulfilment of local industrial demand (Ali et al., 2016; Aftab et al., 2006; Mukhtar and Haq, 2012; Ahmad et al., 2020). Moreover, Pakistan is spending a huge foreign exchange for the import of the enzymes per annum. The present study was planned to utilize the locally characterized protease from Geobacillus sp. SBS-4S for the evaluation of its efficacy on poultry bird’s growth. This protease has been characterized which showed its optimal activity at 65oC and pH 9 in the presence of Mn2+ (Ahmad et al., 2020).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Protease production

The protease was produced under pre-optimized conditions from 34 liters of LB medium supplemented with 2% yeast extract and 5% wheat bran, inoculated with the overnight grown Geobacillus sp. SBS-4S cells followed by incubation at 60oC for 18h under shaking conditions at 120rpm in 5 batches. The microbial growth was centrifuged and supernatant was assessed for protease activity (Pant et al., 2015; Sharma et al., 2017; Catara et al., 2003). Protein contents were calculated by Bradford method using bovine serum albumin as a standard (Bradford, 1976).

Feed formulation

Broiler feed was formulated as per recommendations of American National Research Council (NRC, 2014) and is being used by the poultry industry (corn, 58.0%; soya bean meal 46, 29.5%; rice polish 14, 7.50%; calcium carbonate (CaCO3), 0.95%; oil, 2.00%; bone ash, 0.75%; DCP (dicalcium phosphate), 0.50%; vitamin premix, 0.30%; L-HCl (lysine HCl), 0.25%; sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), 0.17%; DLM (DL-methionine), 0.15%). The poultry feed was prepared in an automated unit at Crescent Feeds and Allied Products, Sundar Sharif, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Five diets were prepared. Diet I was not supplemented with the protease (negative control) while diets II, III and IV were supplemented with protease 2500, 5000 and 7500 IU/kg of feed, respectively. Diet V was supplemented with 5000 IU/kg of commercially available protease as positive control.

Feeding trials on broiler chicks

Feeding trial was conducted under controlled environment at Dua Poultry Farms, Niaz Kot, Kala Shah Kaku, Tehsil Ferozewala, District Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan in collaboration with Crescent Feeds and Allied Products, Sundar Sharif, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. For feeding trial, 150 one-day-old broiler chicks with an average weight of 39g per chick were purchased from a commercial hatchery and randomly divided into 5 groups A, B, C, D and E. Each group consisted of 30 birds, having 3 replicates of 10 birds each. Group A was declared as negative control and was fed on diet without protease. Group B, C and D were fed on diets II, III and IV respectively, which were supplemented with 2500, 5000 and 7500 IU/kg of locally produced protease. Group E acted as positive control and was fed on diet V supplemented with commercially available protease (5000 IU/kg of feed). Water and feed were given ad libitum during the feeding trial for a period of 5 weeks. The body weight, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio were recorded on week basis (Sabir et al., 2018; Rahman et al., 2014).

Statistical analysis

The obtained data was analyzed statistically by Multivariate Analysis of Variance using SPSS software (Okafor and Anosike, 2012). The results obtained were represented as significance of differences between means calculated by Fisher’s Least Significant Difference test. The differences were significant at P ≤ 0.05 (Steel et al., 1997).

RESULTS

Feeding trials on poultry birds demonstrated that supplementation of broiler feed with locally characterized protease significantly enhanced the weight gain and feed consumption of poultry birds with improved feed conversion ratio. The weight gain data regarding 1st and 2nd week of trials showed significant increase in weight gain of various groups fed on diet supplemented with locally characterized protease as compared to negative control (Group A). Significant impact on weight gain of birds was recorded by the end of 3rd, 4th and 5th weeks of experiment (Table I). Comparison of group A (negative control) with group C in the 3rd, 4th and 5th weeks of trials demonstrated the weight gain from 831.66±0.76 to 857.41±0.56g, 1256.35±0.85 to 1291.45±0.74g and 1744.52±0.94 to 1847.55±0.95g, respectively when the poultry diet was supplemented with protease 5000 IU/kg of feed. The comparison of weight gain data of group D with that of group A, B and C demonstrated a boosting effect of locally produced protease on weight gain in poultry birds (Table I).

The increase in protease concentration from 5000 IU/kg (group C) to 7500 IU/kg (group D) showed significant enhancement regarding weight gain and feed consumption. Supplementation of feed with protease enhanced the digestive ability and feed consumption of birds. Comparative analysis indicated the improved feed consumption with the increase in protease concentration. The results demonstrated that group B, C and D utilized 3710, 3730 and 3750 g of feed as compared to group A which utilized 3680 g of feed by the end of 5 weeks of trials. Same pattern of improvement of FCR was recorded in the groups fed on feed supplemented with locally produced protease. The FCR value was improved from 2.11 (group A) to 1.98 (group D) (Table II). A comparison of group D and E revealed the better performance of locally produced protease as compared to enzyme currently being used in the poultry feed industry. Multivariate analysis of variance demonstrated the significant results for various tests (Table III) which supports the positive impact on weight gain due to supplementation of feed with local protease. Multiple comparative analysis among the weeks with respect to various groups showed significant results (Tables III, Supplementary Table I).

 

Table I. Effect of protease supplementation on weight of poultry chicks during feeding trials.

Groups	1st Week (0.000***)	2nd Week (0.000***)	3rd Week (0.000***)	4th Week (0.000***)	5th Week (0.000***)
A (-ve control)	164.68±0.96e	448.49 ±0.66e	831.66 ±0.76e	1256.35 ±0.85e	1744.52 ±0.94e
B (2500 IU/kg)	171.56±0.68d	458.49±0.68d	847.42 ±0.80d	1269.44±0.90d	1826.60 ±0.66d
C (5000 IU/kg)	175.57±0.73c	467.43±0.74c	857.41±0.56c	1291.45±0.74c	1847.55±0.95c
D (7500 IU/kg)	184.43±0.73a	485.49±0.81a	887.52±0.79a	1356.50±0.68a	1891.54±0.89a
E (5000 IU/kg) (+ive control)	183.31±0.64b	473.59±0.70b	872.42±0.78b	1341.19±0.93b	1874.49±0.75b

 

*P values indicate the significance among groups of each week. **Means that do not share a letter i.e., a, b, c, d and e are significantly different. Group A, negative control; Group B, 2500 IU/kg; Group C, 5000 IU/kg; Group D, 7500 IU/kg; Group E, +ve control.

 

Table II. Effect of protease on average feed intake, feed conversion ratio and body weight during feeding trials.

Groups	A	B	C	D	E
Average feed intake (g)	3680	3710	3730	3750	3740
Overall body weight (g)	1744.52e±0.94	1826.60d±0.66	1847.55c±0.95	1891.54a±0.89	1874.49b±0.75
Feed conversion ratio (FCR)	2.11 e	2.031 d	2.019 c	1.98 b	1.995 a

 

Group A, negative control; Group B, 2500 IU/kg; Group C, 5000 IU/kg; Group D, 7500 IU/kg; Group E, +ve control.

 

Table III. Multivariate analysis of variance for multivariate tests.

Effect		Value	F	Hypothesis df	Errordf	Sig.
Intercept	Pillai's trace	1.000	20606492.318b	5.000	141.000	.000
	Wilks' lambda	.000	20606492.318b	5.000	141.000	.000
	Hotelling's trace	730726.678	20606492.318b	5.000	141.000	.000
	Roy's largest root	730726.678	20606492.318b	5.000	141.000	.000
	Pillai's trace	1.647	20.151	20.000	576.000	.000
	Wilks' lambda	.003	119.073	20.000	468.594	.000
	Hotelling's trace	178.024	1241.714	20.000	558.000	.000
	Roy's largest root	177.003	5097.697c	5.000	144.000	.000

 

a, Design: Intercept + Groups; b, Exact statistic; c, The statistic is an upper bound on F that yields a lower bound on the significance level.

 

DISCUSSION

Proteases play essential role in the maturation, working and degradation of proteins in the cell and are key component of cell (Douglas et al., 2000; Ghazi et al., 2002). Proteases are also responsible for the removal of structural proteins in the cell wall polysaccharides which allow faster access to other catabolic enzymes which results in better digestion (Colombatto and Benuchemin, 2009).

Poultry trial confirmed the ability of locally produced protease to improve the digestibility of feed, as supplementation of feed boosted the weight gain and feed uptake of the broiler birds. The comparative analysis of data regarding weight gain of chicks from groups B, C and D with respect to group A (Table I) clearly demonstrated an increase in weight gain with a maximum weight gain of 1891.54±0.89 g (group D) which was comparable to 1874.49±0.75 g (group E) fed on feed supplemented with commercially available protease. These results are similar to previous findings (Vieira et al., 2013), who reported the role of protease for the enhancement of birds weight gain. Similar results were demonstrated when poultry birds were fed with diet supplemented with protease from Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (Hooge et al., 2004).

Weight gain data indicated that protein digestibility, weight gain and feed utilization of poultry birds were improved with the increase in concentration of enzyme. The weight gain and FCR values of 1891.54±0.89g and 1.98 were recorded, respectively for 7500 IU/kg of locally produced protease as compared with results of 1874.49±0.75g and 1.995 for 5000 IU/kg of commercially available protease being imported to the country with significant p value ≤0.05. These results are in agreement with previous reports on the improvement of FCR due to supplementation of feed with protease (Angel et al., 2011; Ajayi and Imouokhome, 2015; Aureli et al., 2010; Castanon and Marquardt, 1989; Fru-Nji et al., 2011; Kocher et al., 2015; Ndazigaruye et al., 2019; Park and Kim, 2018; Rada et al., 2013; Sonu et al., 2018).

CONCLUSION

The locally characterized protease from Geobacillus sp. SBS-4S has strong potential for enhanced protein digestion and for the improved weight gain, feed consumption and FCR value in broiler chicks. The domestic production of this protease may result in low cost availability of the enzyme that can replace the imported counterpart being utilized currently in poultry feed industry.

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Dua Poultry Forms for their facilitation in conduction of poultry trials.

Supplementary material

There is supplementary material associated with this article. Access the material online at: https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjz/20220324050332

Statement of conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

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