Abstract
This study was performed to evaluate the effect of feeding Tomoko, a commercial enzyme supplement that contains an acidic protease, a-amylase, pectinase, phytase, glucoamylase, cellulase and Aspergillus Awamori cells in a standard corn-soy ration for broiler chicken from 1 to 42 day of age. A total of 960 Cobb 500 chicks were randomly distributed in a randomized complete block design among 16 floor pens with 4 replicate pens/treatment. Two levels of diet density (normal and low) and two levels of enzyme (without and with) in a factorial arrangement resulted in four dietary treatments: T-1 = normal density diet; T-2 = T-1+0.05% enzyme; T-3 = low density (low energy, low protein diet); T-4 = T-3+0.05% enzyme. Body weight was significantly affected by diet density and enzyme at 42 d (p<0.001). Enzyme supplementation improved eviscerated, breast and total meat percentages (p<0.01, 0.01 and 0.001, respectively) while diet density had a significant effect on all parts yield measured. Ileal protein retention showed a significant density x enzyme interaction (p<0.005). Serum total protein, calcium and phosphorus were improved as a result of enzyme supplementation. Enzyme was able to restore the nutritional value in the low density diet. These findings suggesting that increased muscle mass is partially responsible for the observed increased in body weight on use of enzyme preparation.