EXOGENOUS ENZYMES IN RUMINANT NUTRITION: A REVIEW

Abstract

The ability of ruminant to transform plant biomass that is unfit for human consumption into meat and milk is vital for both agriculture and society, however, the digestibility of plant cell walls has a significant impact on how well this mechanism works. Exogenous enzymes added to ruminant diets may increase the digestibility of plant cell walls and, consequently, feed utilization efficiency. The objective of the study was to review exogenous enzymes in ruminant nutrition. These include different exogenous enzymes product types, sources, benefits, different methods of application and the possible modes of action, it also reviewed methods of evaluating enzyme activity and characterization of exogenous enzymes into three main categories as fibrolytic, amylolytic and proteolytic. It further shows the sources of these exogenous enzymes which are mainly four bacterial species, three fungal species and some yeasts. Supplementation of exogenous enzymes in ruminant nutrition shows beneficial effects on feed utilization, growth and production performance in ruminant animals though futur studies are highly recommended with emphasis on mode of action of these products so that on farm efficacy of ruminant enzyme technology can be assured.