Using a fiber-degrading enzyme in feed formulations is technically and strategically beneficial as it will help optimize animal performance cost-effectively. But the chosen enzyme needs the ability to withstand various processing challenges related to feed production, namely, stability during conditioning and pelleting steps.
Due to the number of parameters and variables that can affect product stability, on-site evaluation of Hostazym® X is key to understanding the full process at each production facility, ensuring that all variables have been considered. One pelleting test can be used as an initial indicator, but it will never give the full overview of a process and as such should not be used to make decisions. Data from long-term customers show that Hostazym® X consistently performs as a "stable product in standard processing conditions up to 85 oC," as claimed.
Fiber-degrading enzymes are a cost-effective way of optimizing animal performance. The efficacy of Hostazym® X is widely proven through scientific data and its worldwide success (ranking as one of the top 3 carbohydrase enzymes in the biggest feed production markets).
As well as being selected for nutritional reasons, the chosen enzyme needs to withstand the processing challenges related with feed production, namely, stability during the conditioning and pelleting steps. It is known that the processing stability of enzymes is influenced by numerous factors:
The multiple combinations of these factors are of critical importance to fully understand enzyme process stability.
Nevertheless, of utmost importance is understanding each feed plant will influence enzyme stability differently. Each feed plant is different and its specific equipment, working processes and even personnel are variables which will affect enzyme stability.
The standard recommendation for enzyme stability is "stable in standard pelleting conditions up to 85 oC with a minimum accepted recovery criteria of 80%". The microgranulated product Hostazym® X has been tested in multiple research trials to validate that claim. This does not apply to all enzymes which is why process stability and acceptance criteria need to be assessed case by case.
Results from pelleting stability trials with Hostazym® X in fully controlled conditions (university research facilities) show that stability is affected by temperature and conditioning time. Trial outcomes conform with standard criteria and follow expected behaviour.
Hostazym® X and its competitors follow the same criteria recommendations and have equivalent results in fully controlled research trials. Unlike some competitor enzyme products, Hostazym® X is a non-coated product, which confirms that the xylanase in Hostazym® X is a very stable molecule on its own.
Hostazym® X in the real world
Establishing process stability and acceptance criteria for the recovery of enzymes requires thorough analysis of multiple factors. Conducting multi-factorial trials under industrial conditions is difficult and, in some cases, unfeasible. A better and more reliable method is to analyze data over time to establish specific conformity criteria to decide if an enzyme is suited for a specific production unit or not.
On-site evaluation of Hostazym® X is key to understanding the full process of each production facility and to ensure that all variables have been considered. One pelleting test can be used as an initial indicator, but it will never give the full overview of a process and should therefore not be used to make decisions.
Results will vary over time. Quality control tools should be used to evaluate and set conformity criteria to classify Hostazym® X as "thermostable" under normal process conditions at that specific production unit.
To illustrate the importance of on-site testing, data frorm two different customers are showcased. Both customers use the Huvepharma laboratory for regular control of their process, using Hostazym® X recovery data to assess process trends and product stability.
Customer "Europe"
Figure 1. Recovery results for broiler and layer feed samples (EPU/kg) in 2019 from Customer "Europe" (production unit 1)
Key notes:
Customer "South America"
Figure 2. Conformity control charts per year for broiler and pig feed formulations and only pelleted feed results
Key notes:
Conclusion
Showcasing experience with Hostazym® X and its thermostability shown in these customer results does not aim to show a perfect outcome. Results vary widely and each production unit of each customer is a unique case. Understanding each customer is our key objective to make sure the right recommendations are given. Recovery results reflect a series of influences from production unit to laboratory, not only the product.
It is essential to understand that assessing a production unit and establishing quality control criteria requires time and cooperation.
As expected, Hostazym® X consistently shows that it is a "stable product under standard processing conditions up to 85 oC" as claimed.