Enhancing nutritional and potential antimicrobial properties of poultry feed through encapsulation of metagenome-derived multi-enzymes.

Background: The encapsulation of metagenome-derived multi-enzymes presents a novel approach to improving poultry feed by enhancing nutrient availability and reducing anti-nutritional factors. By integrating and encapsulated enzymes such as carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes, protease, lipase, and laccase into feed formulations, this method not only improves feed digestibility but also potentially contributes to animal health and productivity through antimicrobial properties.

Results: This study investigates the encapsulation of metagenome-derived enzymes, including carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes, protease, lipase, and laccase, using Arabic and Guar gums as encapsulating agents. The encapsulated multi-enzymes exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, achieving a 92.54% inhibition rate against Escherichia coli at a concentration of 6 U/mL. Fluorescence tracking with FITC-labeled enzymes confirmed efficient encapsulation and distribution, while physical characterization, including moisture content and solubility assessments, along with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) imaging, validated successful encapsulation. The encapsulated enzymes also effectively hydrolyzed poultry feed, leading to an increase in phenolic content and antioxidant activity, as confirmed by 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays.

Conclusions: The encapsulated multi-enzymes improved the overall feed quality by increasing reducing sugars and enhancing physical properties such as solubility and water-holding capacity. The encapsulated multi-enzymes improved the overall feed quality by increasing reducing sugars, antioxidant activity and enhancing physical properties such as solubility and water-holding capacity. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses confirmed the enzymatic breakdown of the feed structure. These results suggest that supplementing poultry feed with encapsulated multi-enzymes can enhance its physical, nutritional, and functional properties, leading to improved digestibility and overall feed quality.