Enzymes are widely used in mixed feed as additives. Until now, the enzymes xylanase, glucanase, and phytase have been well-established as broiler feed additives. Mannanase is another enzyme that is applied to maize, soybean, and other varieties of bean-based feed, and has been shown to help animals reduce their feed conversion ratio.

Lysozyme is an enzyme present in the body fluids such as sweat, tears, saliva and breast milk. It is also found in egg whites, in the caps that bees use to cover their cells and others. It was discovered by chance in 1922 by Alexander Fleming, an English biologist, the discoverer of penicillin. At the time, scientists considered this finding interesting but not significant, however Fleming predicted that more would be said about the enzyme in the future. Lysozyme is made up of 129 amino acids and is referred to as the "body antibiotic" and the "enzyme of the future."

Lysozyme is an enzyme that has bactericidal properties, i.e. it kills the bacteria. It is contained in egg white, tears, saliva, sweat and breast milk and acts as an antibacterial agent. As an enzyme, lysozyme is a glycosidic hydrolase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of 1-4-beta bonds between N-acetyl muric acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. These two compounds are the major building blocks of peptidoglycans, the polymeric compounds that build the walls of bacterial organisms.

The addition of enzyme-based products (VEMOZYME) to pig fattening systems makes it possible to successfully use alternative feed with a higher fibre content without negative effect on carcass characteristics and meat quality.

The aim of the present research was to investigate the effect of Bulgarian dry extract from the annual plant Tribulus terrestris – L (Vemoherb PT), produced by Vemo 99 Ltd Company, Sofia on main biochemical characteristics and hematological parameters of the blood in guinea fowl (Numida meleagris). An experiment was carried out with 30 Pearl-gray Guinea fowl (32 weeks old), distributed in two groups – a control and an experimental, 12 female and 3 male each. All birds were fed the same mixture for breeder guinea fowl. Bulgarian Tribulus terrestris extract was supplemented to the compound feed of the experimental group in a daily dose of 10 mg/kg body weight for a period of 12 weeks.

The effect of Bulgarian product Vemoherb PT (Bulgarian Tribulus terrestris dry extract) on some characteristics of the reproductive capacity of Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) was studied. A trial was conducted with 30 Pearl-gray Guinea fowls, at the age of 32 weeks, divided in two groups, 12 female and 3 male each. The birds from the two groups were fed the same mixture. The experimental group received the tested product once daily in a dose 10 mg/kg body weight for 12 weeks. The laying intensity, egg morphology and fertility, the weight of testes and ovaries were controlled. It was found a higher laying intensity (P<0.05), similarly higher egg weight (P<0.001), yolk weight (P<0.01), left testes weight (P<0.05) and egg fertility in the experimental group.

With the aim to establish the effect of the product Vemoherb PT (dry extract of Tribulus terrestris L) on egg yolk lipids and serum total cholesterol content, the trial was designed with 30 Pearl gray Guinea fowls, at the age of 32 weeks, randomly distributed in control and experimental groups, 12 female and 3 male each. All birds received the same mixture for breeder Guinea fowls. The tested product was added to the compound feed of the experimental group in a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight for a period of 12 weeks. The total lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol content, fatty acids composition in the egg yolk and serum total cholesterol content were determined at the end of the trial. The results from this study indicate that Vemoherb PT (dry extract from Bulgarian Tribulus terrestris) does not have any influence on the total lipids and phospholipids content in the egg yolk. The addition of 10mg/kg body weight of the tested product to the forage of Guinea fowls decreased significantly the serum cholesterol level (P<0.01) and the cholesterol content in the egg yolk (P<0.05). It was observed the increase the content of linoleic acid in the yolk (P=0.05) in treated birds in comparison with control group.

The effectiveness of microbial phytase is because it frees up phosphorus bound in phytate in feed ingredients. The effect of microbial phytase in proportion to the total amount of phytic phosphorus: the more phytates, which contain phosphorus, the more phosphorus is released under the influence of microbial phytase. Phosphorus availability is increased by adding phytase of microbial origin to the feed. Therefore, the feed composition should be calculated in accordance to the amount of phosphorus that bound in phytate.

It is known that the rate of availability (digestibility) of phosphorus in many components of the diet increases with enrichment of microbial phytase, so it is often used for pigs’ feeds. The reason for the increased availability of phosphorus is that the microbial phytase has the ability to release phosphorus contained in phytate (phytic phosphorus) in many feed ingredients. Without the addition of phytase to the diet, most of the phytic phosphorus is not digested by swine, instead, it is released with the feces.

Calcium is a special mineral in terms of phytate and phytase. It has the lowest binding affinity for phytate, but is present in the largest amount in feed for poultry. Therefore, lowering the amount of phytate bound phosphorous with phytase potentially expands the ratio of calcium to total phosphorous to 2:1. Phytate decreases the utilization, usability and absorption of both calcium and phosphorous.

Some components contain natural phytases that can break down the phytate phosphorus and have been shown to contribute to some extent to the utilization of phytate phosphorus in bone formation in chickens. Phytase activity in cereals is affected by the variety in the compositions, age of grain, drying conditions and storage, and pelleting temperature. Therefore, in the absence of studies for each batch of grains, it will be difficult to accurately predict phytase activity.

Let us talk about the different phytases and their origin. First, phytase brands - Natuphos, Ronozyme P, both derived from different types of mushrooms (respectively Aspergillus niger vs. A. ficuum). In contract, the newest phytase VemoZyme F NTP was obtained from Escherichia coli (bacteria) and has shown its positive effect on productivity, bone mineralization and phosphorus utilization in non-ruminants. Other phytases originating from E.coli have been developed as well, however they are not yet approved and available in the U.S.

Phytases belong to the class of phosphatases that catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphoric acid. Phytase performs stepwise cleavage of orthophosphate ions of phytic acid to form intermediates of penta-, tetra-, tri-, di-, and inositol monophosphates (Nayani NR, Markakis P., 1986).

Phytases were found naturally in plants and microorganisms, particularly fungi. Interest in these enzymes is increased by the fact that phytase supplements increase the availability of phosphorus in feed for pigs and poultry and thereby reduce phosphate pollution in areas of intensive farming.

What is phytate? Simply, this is the structure of an inositol ring where six phosphate (P) groups are attached. That negatively charged (anionic) structure is usually accompanied by cations (positively charged compounds) - proteins and/or starch.

The efficacy of the addition of VemoHerb series (Vemo 99 Ltd.) on animal health and productivity has been proven in improving growth, feed utilization, the good functioning of the immune system and the protection of the gut microbiota from pathogenic bacteria.

Prof. Sabka Surdzhiiska

Prof. Sabka Surdjiska

The animal’s digestive system has an extremely important role in providing the necessary nutrients and their assimilation from the organism. It is known that only a healthy digestive tract can ensure the successful realization of the genetic potential in animals. The tendency is that from now on the role of the antibiotics in maintaining the gut health will be even more reduced. That imposes the need of future optimization of the biosecurity and animal nutrition, as well as the application of the most modern technologies in the production and application of feed additives.

An experiment was conducted on drakes (male ducks) (assessing single ejaculate semen volume, sperm motility) and female laying ducks (assessing laying capacity, egg weight).

Аn experiment was conducted with 10 sows and their piglets, divided into two groups - control and experimental. Тhe reason for this experimenт is to determine the effect of intake VemoHerb BP in pregnant and lactating sows and its indirect effect on their offspring.

Ivelina Zapryanova – Agricultural University Plovdiv,Bulgaria

The abundance of unique herbs in our country provides for the opportunity to manufacture feed additives, applicable in livestock breeding, which can successfully substitute for the already banned antibiotics, used for many years as growth stimulants.

The aim of this research is to determine the effect on productivity of pigs, when supplemented with the biologically active herbal feed additive VemoHerb BP to compound feed.

Ivelina Zapryanova – Agricultural University Plovdiv,Bulgaria

The abundance of unique herbs in our country provides for the opportunity to manufacture feed additives, applicable in livestock breeding, which can successfully substitute for the already banned antibiotics, used for many years as growth stimulants.

The aim of this research is to determine the effect on productivity of pigs, when supplemented with the biologically active herbal feed additive VemoHerb BP to compound feed.

Dr. Diyan Stoyanov, Institute of Animal Science, Kostinbrod, Bulgaria

In the last decades, a lot of studies have been conducted in relation to the use of exogenous enzymes in birds feeding. The effect of using NSP-enzymes and Phytase has been proven in a very convincing way. Nowadays, scientific researches have been redirected to ptotease. The arguments for that are very solid. The material costs of the feed for broilers have increased, as well as the price of soybean meal, which is a major source of protein in the blends for poultry. This requires seeking of new opportunities for reducing the content of soybean meal in the feeding of birds by compensating with better digestibility. In the past it was thought that birds produce enough protease for the digestion and the absorption of the protein ratio. However, there is recent data on the mechanism of their action and the need for protease has increased. The obtained results have been influenced by various factors such as the type of protease (acid, alkaline, neutral), its activity and dose, composition of the compound feed to which it was added (are other exogenous enzymes involved), age of birds, etc.

The purpose of the study is to determine the influence of VemoHerb BEES on the honey productivity of bee colonies, laying activity of queen bees and influence on bee resistance during the winter period.

Vemo 99 Ltd., Bulgaria

The trial was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of VemoZyme M application to combined feed of poultry. VemoZyme M is an enzyme feed additive, manufactured by Vemo 99 Ltd., Bulgaria, with main enzyme activity of β-mannanase, and additional side activities of xylanase, β-glucanase, cellulase, amylase, etc.

Prof. DSc. S.Surdzhiyska, Dr. B.Kashamov

Institute of Animal Sciences - Kostinbrod, Bulgaria

Dr. Dian Stoyanov, Institute of Animal Science, Kostinbrod, Bulgaria

Since ancient times remedial plants and extracts are used in folk medicine. In the conditions of intensive stock breeding, times of complete ban of the application of antibiotic growth promoters, and demands of the market for animal products without drug residues, scientists drew their attention back to medicinal plants as a source of biologically active substances with certain physiological effects. They are a good prerequisite for the development of bio or organic stock breeding.

Dr V. Serdakova, Dr B. Kashamov – Institute of Animal Science, Kostinbrod, Bulgaria

VemoHerb T is composed of appropriately selected and combined dry extracts of unique Bulgarian remedial plants, manufactured by ‘’Vemo 99” Sofia, Bulgaria. The product contains plenty of biologically active substances, including saponins, sterols, flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols, etc.

In modern poultry production, the newly born chickens 1) have no contact with maternal faeces and their gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is sterile; thereby normal microflora is slowly colonized while the GIT resident microorganisms have a profound impact on the health of bird and 2) do not receive maternal antigens to develop the immunity system. Accordingly, growth promoters (nutrient or non-nutrient feed additives) are added to the feed or drinking water to enhance the microflora of intestines, develop immunity system and stimulate digestive enzymes secretion leading to the improved feed utilization and growth of poultry.

Enzyme use in animal feeds has been around for a while, with the first reports of an enzyme product, being used in the 1920s. In the 50s and 60s, pioneering researches demonstrated the effects of enzyme addition to animal feeds, with early studies on the use of phytases for improving phosphorus availability in plant feed ingredients conducted in the early 1970s. The enzyme preparations employed in these studies were crude enzymes and only available in limited amounts. It was another 10 to 20 years later when the nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP) and phytase enzymes became available in industrial quantities.
During the past 30 years, the chemical nature of the compounds found in feedstuffs has been studied and provided the basis to create products, specific for individual substrates. With the recent developments in the areas of biotechnology and molecular biology, it is now possible to mass-produce feed enzymes for use in industrial animal diet formulations. In the present article, we will go over some of the key points regarding the implementation of enzymes in the current feed production industry, with an emphasis on enzyme termostability, but firstly…

Enzymes are a group of proteins known to catalyse more than 5,000 biochemical reaction types. In the animal feed industry, unquestionably the most commonly used enzyme is phytase. This enzyme catalyses the hydrolysis of phytic acid (high phosphorus compound found in abundance in grains, oil seeds and other plant origin fodders, that is normally indigestible by animals), while releasing the more utilizable inorganic phosphorus as a reaction product. In order to withstand the harsh temperatures of the feed pelleting processes, enzymes can be coated or intrinsically thermostable. However, for the purpose of achieving maximum efficacy, the latter are preferred.

Investigating the effect of β-mannanase enzyme feed additive on broiler performance.

Prof. Sabka Surdjiiska

B.Kashumov, S.Grigorova – Institute of Animal Sciences Kostinbrod, Bulgaria

VemoHerb T is dry extract of appropriately selected and combined unique Bulgarian remedial plants, produced by Vemo 99 Ltd Sofia, Bulgaria. The product contains the following biologically active substances: saponins, sterols, flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols and others.

Prof. DSc. S.Surdzhiyska, Dr. B.Kashamov

Institute of Animal Sciences - Kostinbrod, Bulgaria

V. Georgieva, G. Ganchev, A. Atanasov, D. Yovchev, S. Surdzhiyska*
Thracian University – Agrarian Faculty St. Zagora, Bulgaria
* Institute of Animal Sciences Kostinbrod, Bulgaria

The application of phytase dates back to 1990. New aspect that has attracted the attention of scientists is the unconventional high doses of phytase, the effects of which can be significant. The concept of super doses of phytase was launched in 2012. These are doses higher than 1500 phytase Units/kg feed, or 3-4 times higher than previously recommended. The authors explain this fact with the presence of extra phosphorus, an effect probably due to the better digestibility of amino acids. They consider that some of these effects may be due to mechanisms including myo-inositol (energy source), as well as the complete degradation of phytate to inositol.

Geohellas Presents Attapulgite Innovations at Eurotier

GLOBAL - Attapulgite is a rare magnesium aluminosilicate mineral with a very high porous surface and water absorption capacity, used for its anti-diarrhoeal actions in humans and animals.

EU Pig Prices: Steady Quotations – Prices are Moving Sideward

EU - This current week of slaughter, the European pig slaughter market goes on stabilising. A great majority of quotations continue to move sideward, even though many market participants’ focus was on Germany and the steadiness of its leading quotation.

An independent study recently has concluded that unique combination of dry extracts produced by Company VEMO 99 Ltd have extraordinary results over productivity and general health of the bee hives.

Why that news is so important?

Not only because of the economical effect but also because of the problems the bees have been experiencing recently. The bees population rapidly decrease. Phenomena such as "Mass death of bees", Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), honey bee depopulation syndrome (HBDS) have been observed all over the world. Through the years various names of diseases have been given to that phenomenon: disappearing disease, spring dwindle, May disease, autumn collapse, and fall dwindle disease... But what has been happening since the winter of 2006 and is currently going on now is observed for the first time in the human history: Millions of bee hives have died.