Huvezym® neXo: First Steps On A Successful Journey

To offset the anti-nutritional factors of NSPs, exogenous NSP-degrading enzymes (NSPases) are considered 'best practice' in animal nutrition for their ability to enhance feed digestion and their contribution to improved animal performance. The use of NSPases may also contribute to significant reductions in feed cost as their mode of action provides a nutrient sparing effect. However, not all NSPases are the same and their efficiency is influenced by several factors from enzyme origin to the level of complexity of the NSP molecules.

Raw material price and availability and rising concerns around sustainable production systems are increasing attention on the use of alternative, locally sourced feedstuffs, and the use of higher amounts of cereal and oilseed byproducts. These alternatives have a strong impact on the fibre composition of feed and consequently the enzymes required for efficient fibre degradation. 

Why, when and where to use Huvezym® neXo

Huvezym® neXo is a coated enzymatic complex tailored for optimal fibre degradation. It was developed to degrade complex fibre structures in diets using more fibrous or alternative raw materials which may need a specific combination of enzymes to assure the animal gets the most out of the fibre. Its coated formulation assures stability through feed processing systems up to 85^oC. 

The unique enzymatic complex of 1,4-beta-xylanase, 1,4-beta-glucanase and xyloglucanase makes Huvezym® neXo the perfect aid to improve performance in animals fed complex fibre diets.

Huvezym® neXo assures the partial enzymatic depolymerisation of soluble arabinoxylans and glucans which reduces intestinal viscosity, improving passage rate and nutrient absorption and, consequently, contributes to improved performance. Degradation of the NSP present in the cell wall matrix causes rupture of the cell wall which improves the digestibility of nutrients which were physically entrapped before. Additionally, the action of Huvezym® neXo releases arabinoxylan-oligosaccharides (AXOS) which have a prebiotic potential and result in the increase of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production in the caeca. Among other benefits, SCFAs promote gut health and provide additional energy for the animal.

Increasing complex feed fibre compositions may require support from additional enzymes such as cellulases (1,4-beta-glucanase, xyloglucanase), which will disrupt the cell wall matrix and facilitate access of the xylanase enzyme to its substrate (arabinoxylan, xylan). 

The efficiency of Huvezym® neXo in degrading complex fibre is shown in Figure 1. Significant fibre digestibility improvements can be seen both for cellulose and hemicellulose in broilers (left) fed a maize*, wheat, soybean meal diet, and layers (right) fed a wheat, maize, barley, soybean meal, sunflower meal, rapeseed meal diet.

Figure 1. Effect of Huvezym® neXo on fibre degradation: digestibility trials in broilers (left) and layers (right) fed complex fibre diets

Huvezym® neXo hit the NSPases market as the first innovative nutritional tool in decades. Supported by state-of-the-art science, Huvezym® neXo brings attention to the importance of cellulase-degrading enzymes when fibre composition shifts to more complex NSP. The two cellulases present in Huvezym® neXo: 1,4-beta-glucanase and xyloglucanase - the only known labelled xyloglucanase among feed enzymes; combined with a highly efficient xylanase, assure optimal fibre degradation. This allows the animal to get the most out of the fibre in the diet, giving the nutritionist freedom to formulate cost effective, high-performing diets.

Who can benefit from Huvezym® neXo?

The launch of Huvezym® neXo worldwide captured high interest on the market. From early and quick adopters (Poland, Italy, Thailand) to entering and succeeding in local evaluation trials (Turkey, Jordan, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Indonesia, South Africa, Czech Republic, and Brazil), Huvezym® neXo grabs attention!

The gathered market experience and Huvepharma® research continue to validate Huvezym® neXo as a unique nutritional tool for complex fibre challenges. Monogastric animals take advantage of the enzymatic breakdown of anti-nutritional factors, and the result is improved performance and/or equivalent performance at lower feed costs.

A recent broiler trial conducted by a customer comparing Huvezym® neXo with its market competitors shows and supports the above.

A summary of the basic performance results is shown in Figure 2. The trial ran from 0 to 28 days, and birds were fed maize soybean meal-based diets (the high maize inclusion accounts for complex fibre composition due to the high degree of arabinoxylan polymerisation of maize). The negative control diet was reformulated with 100 kcal less than the control diet. The negative control diet was supplemented with the different enzymes (at the recommended supplier dose). 

The results show that Huvezym® neXo met the challenge, resulting in animal performance comparable with birds fed the control diet. Other products were not able to compensate for the 100-kcal challenge.

Figure 2. Customer trial: effect of different NSPases and Huvezym® neXo on the performance of broilers fed a maize-soybean meal-based diet (0-28 days). The negative control diet contained 100 kcal less than the control diet

Conclusion: Huvezym® neXo is THE tailored nutritional tool for optimal animal performance

Huvezym® neXo is a validated nutritional tool to assure animals get the most out of fibre, especially when complex fibre is part of the diet formulation. Its efficiency is reflected in improved animal performance and a healthier gut.

In addition, Huvezym® neXo is a tool for cost effective feed formulation, allowing the use of alternative feedstuffs without compromising animal performance.

* Due to the high degree of polymerisation in maize arabinoxylans, it is considered that feeds formulated with maize (> 20% inclusion) fall under complex fibre diets.