Introduction
Balancius™ is a novel product from the partnership between DSM and Novozymes containing muramidase. The muramidase enzyme breaks down peptidoglycans from bacterial cell walls in the poultry gut.
Manufacturer's main claims
Hydrolyses peptidoglycans from bacterial cell debris in the intestinal tract, thereby improving digestibility and absorption
Improves feed conversion
Technical specifications of Balancius™
EU category
Zootechnical additives
Functional group of additives
Other zootechnical additives
Active substance
Muramidase (lysozyme) (EC 3.2.1.17)
Enzymatic activity in the product
60,000 LSU(F)/g
EU approval, minimum content
25,000 LSU(F)/kg feed for the animal categories below:
Chickens for fattening
Minor poultry species for fattening
Chickens reared for breeding
Turkeys for fattening
Turkeys reared for breeding
Other poultry species reared for breeding
50,000 to 65,000 LSU(F)/kg feed
Piglets (weaned)
End of period of EU authorisation
9 June 2030
Chickens for fattening
Minor poultry species for fattening
26 February 2030
Chickens reared for breeding
Turkeys for fattening
Turkeys reared for breeding
Other poultry species reared for breeding
22 September 2031
Piglets (weaned)
EU code
4d16
Production organism
The muramidase is produced by the genetically modified Trichoderma reesei (DSM 32338)
Product storage stability
Three batches of both the solid and the liquid products were stored for 12 months in closed containers at four different temperatures: 10°C, 25°C, 35°C or 40°C.
Enzyme activity recovered, solid form:
10°C : 100%
25°C : 92%
35°C : 73%
40°C : 56%
Enzyme activity recovered, liquid form:
10°C : 82%
25°C : 68%
35°C : 50%
40°C : 36%
Storage stability in premix and feed
Three different batches of the product were added to vitamin-mineral premixtures and stored for six months at 25°C. The residual muramidase activity was 75% after six months.
Samples of mash and pelleted feed supplemented with the product were stored in closed containers at room temperature for three months. The enzyme recovery was 86% for the mash feed and 92% for the pelleted feed.
Three batches of the liquid product were sprayed onto two different complete and pelleted feeds and stored for three months at room temperature in closed containers. After three months of storage, the remaining enzyme activity was 94%.
Heat stability
Three batches of the product were added to a complete feed for chickens for fattening and pelleted at 80°C or 90°C. Approximately 80% of the initial muramidase activity at either temperature could be detected.
Homogeneity
The solid product contains the fermentation extract, sodium sulfate, cellulose, kaolin, sucrose, and water. The mean particle size is 550 µm, and there are no particles below 100 µm. The product is dust-free.
Handling
The European Commission states: "For users of the additive and premixtures, feed business operators shall establish operational procedures and organisational measures to address potential risks resulting from its use. Where those risks cannot be eliminated or reduced to a minimum by such procedures and measures, the additive and premixtures shall be used with personal protective equipment, including eyes, skin and breathing protections."
Manufacturer
DSM
List of references
EFSA (2018). Safety and efficacy of muramidase from Trichoderma reesei DSM 32338 as a feed additive for chickens for fattening and minor poultry species. EFSA Journal 2018;16(7):5342
EU (2019). Commission implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/805 of 17 May 2019 concerning the authorisation of a preparation of muramidase produced by Trichoderma reesei DSM 32338 as a feed additive for chickens for fattening and minor poultry species for fattening (holder of authorisation DSM Nutritional Products Ltd, represented by DSM Nutritional Products Sp. Z. o.o). Official Journal of the European Union L132/33-35
EU (2020). Commission implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/163 of 5 February 2020 concerning the authorisation of a preparation of muramidase produced by Trichoderma reesei DSM 32338 as a feed additive for turkeys for fattening, turkeys reared for breeding, chickens reared for breeding (holder of authorisation DSM Nutritional Products Ltd. represented in the Union by DSM Nutritional Products Sp. Z o.o). Official Journal of the European Union. L34/34-36
EU (2021). COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2021/1431 of 1 September 2021 concerning the authorisation of muramidase produced by Trichoderma reesei DSM 32338 as a feed additive for weaned piglets (holder of the authorisation DSM Nutritional Products Ltd, represented in the Union by DSM Nutritional Products Sp. z o.o.). Official Journal of the European Union. L309/5-7