Vol. 11, Special Issue 11 (2022)

Poultry is an imperative domesticated livestock species that provides high quality protein and micronutrients as meat and eggs. In poultry production, feed is the single major input constituting 70-75% of total production cost, mainly consists of cereal grains providing energy to the birds. Grains contain higher proportions of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). Non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) contain ß-glucans, cellulose, pectin and hemicellulose. NSP consist of both soluble and insoluble fractions. Soluble NSP of cereals such as wheat, barley and rye increases intestinal viscosity there by interfere with the digestive processes and exert strong negative effects on net utilization of energy. NSP cannot be degraded by endogenous enzymes and therefore reach the colon almost indigested. Insoluble NSP make up the bulk in the diets. NSP are known to possess anti-nutritional properties by either encapsulating nutrients and/or depressing overall nutrient digestibility through gastro-intestinal modifications. In order to counteract the adverse effect of such substances feed enzymes are added to the diet not only to improve the nutritive value but also to economize poultry production and reduce environmental pollution.