Role of Non-Starch Polysaccharides in Poultry Feed

Role of Non-Starch Polysaccharides in Poultry Feed

INTRODUCTION

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) play a significant role in poultry nutrition, influencing various aspects of growth, digestion, and overall health. NSPs are complex carbohydrates found in plant-based feed ingredients and constitute a major component of dietary fiber, contributing approximately 10-30% of nutrients in poultry diets. Their effects can vary based on their solubility and physical properties.

Non- Starch Polysaccharides

Non-Starch Polysaccharides (NSP), are complex carbohydrates that are present in the cell walls of plants. These substances are distinguished from starch by their structure, which is composed of long chains of sugar molecules. Numerous polysaccharide types, including cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins, and others, are included in NSP compounds.

Since starch is a different kind of carbohydrate made up of glucose units connected by alpha-glycosidic bonds, these NSP substances are collectively referred to as “non-starch.” In contrast to starch, NSPs often require certain enzymes to be digested by monogastric animals like swine and poultry.

Types of Non-Starch Polysaccharides

NSPs can be classified into two main categories based on their solubility:

1. Soluble Non-Starch Polysaccharides (sNSP):
   • These polysaccharides dissolve in water and form viscous solutions. Common examples include pectins and some hemicelluloses.
   • sNSPs can increase the viscosity of intestinal contents, which may hinder nutrient absorption but also provides substrates for beneficial gut microbiota, promoting gut health.
2. Insoluble Non-Starch Polysaccharides (iNSP):
   • These do not dissolve in water and include cellulose and lignin. They contribute to the bulk of the diet and play a vital role in gut function.
   • iNSPs enhance gut motility, improve passage rates through the digestive system, and support gizzard function, which is essential for grinding feed particles.

Nutritional Benefits

1. Enhanced Nutrient Digestibility: NSPs assist in breaking down complex carbohydrates within plant cell walls, which releases encapsulated nutrients. This process improves the availability of essential nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals, leading to better nutrient utilization by poultry.
2. Improved Feed Efficiency: The incorporation of NSP enzymes into poultry diets enhances the digestibility of feed, allowing birds to extract more energy from their food. This results in increased growth rates and optimal weight gain, making feed usage more efficient.
3. Reduction of Anti-Nutritional Factors: NSPs can help mitigate the effects of anti-nutritional factors present in feed ingredients. Efficient digestion through NSP enzymes can reduce the excretion of undigested feed components, benefiting both the birds and the environment by minimizing waste production.
4. Prebiotic Effects: Soluble NSPs foster beneficial gut bacteria, promoting a healthy gut environment that is crucial for nutrient absorption and ovrall health.

Economic Importance

• Cost Savings: Enhanced nutrient utilization leads to reduced feed costs for producers. By optimizing nutritional value, farmers can achieve better growth rates and lower feed conversion ratios, ultimately decreasing overall production costs.

• Health Benefits: A healthier gut environment promoted by NSPs contributes to lower veterinary costs associated with digestive disorders. This long-term benefit enhances poultry productivity and profitability for farmers.

Impact on Gut Health and Litter Quality

1. Gut Functionality: NSPs influence gut morphology and function, which can affect passage rates and retention times within the gizzard. This interaction is crucial for optimal digestion and nutrient absorption.
2. Litter Quality: Managing NSP levels in diets can improve litter quality by reducing moisture content and volume of excreta. Better litter quality is associated with lower incidences of health issues such as respiratory diseases and dermatitis in poultry flocks.

 Importance of Enzyme Supplementation with NSP

• High levels of NSPs can lead to reduced feed efficiency and growth performance due to their ability to increase digesta viscosity, which limits nutrient contact with digestive enzymes.  This is particularly evident when feeding grains with high sNSP content like wheat and barley.

• To mitigate the negative effects of NSPs, the use of NSP-degrading enzymes has been researched extensively. These enzymes can break down soluble NSPs, thereby reducing digesta viscosity and improving nutrient availability. This approach has shown promising results in enhancing growth performance and nutrient utilization in broilers.

Conclusion

Incorporating non-starch polysaccharides into poultry diets is essential for enhancing nutrient digestibility, improving feed efficiency, and promoting overall bird health. The economic advantages generated from better growth performance and reduced veterinary costs further underscore the importance of NSPs in poultry nutrition. As the industry moves towards more sustainable practices with reduced reliance on antibiotics, understanding and utilizing NSPs will be vital for successful poultry production.

¹Bagavathi M, ²Kapilan P, ³Pasupathi Karu

¹MVSc Scholar, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR – National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal-132001, Haryana, India.

²Third year, Arawali Veterinary College, Sikar- 332403, Rajasthan, India.

³Professor and Head, Animal Nutrition Department, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Tirunelveli-627358, Tamil Nadu, India.

Mail id – bagavathimuthappan55@gmail.com