In vitro degradation of fresh substrates treated with exogenous fibrolytic enzymes

Abstract

An exogenous fibrolytic enzyme product was applied to three different proportions of a total mixed ration (TMR) and fed to dairy cows. There was no enhancement of the hydrolytic capacity of rumen fluid from cows serving as inoculum donors as a result of enzyme supplementation. In vitro dry matter degradation of the TMR at 12 h of incubation was increased by 15% when enzymes were added to the concentrate portion, and by 17% when added to the premix portion of the TMR (P < 0.05), but adding enzymes to the supplement (pelleted portion of the concentrate) had no effect. Key words: Enzymes, fresh substrate, dry matter degradation