The Role of Exogenous Non-Starch Polysaccharide Enzymes in Enhancing Digestibility and Performance of Pig

Non-starch polysaccharides in plant-based swine diets can reduce nutrient availability, and the use of exogenous enzymes has been proposed as a practical approach to improve digestive utilization. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of an enzyme mixture on nutrient digestibility through both laboratory evaluation and an animal trial. Seven commercial diets were analyzed in vitro, followed by an in vivo experiment with ten nursery pigs fed either a basal diet or the same diet supplemented with 100 ppm of the enzyme mixture for 14 days. Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, digesta vis-cosity, microbial populations, and intestinal morphology were assessed. The in vitro results showed improved digestibility in several diet types, particularly finisher and breeding diets, when enzymes were added. In the in vivo study, pigs receiving the enzyme mixture tended to show better growth performance, slightly higher levels of beneficial fermentation products, and more favorable intestinal villous structure, alt-hough significant differences were not observed. Based on these findings, the enzyme mixture may contribute to better nutrient use and intestinal condition in pigs under certain dietary situations. This study provides supportive information on the potential role of exogenous enzymes in practical swine nutrition.