Introduction
Natugrain® Wheat contains xylanase and is recommended for use in diets containing high levels of wheat, i.e. rations rich in arabinoxylans. The product is authorised for use in the EU in all major avian species. Natugrain® Wheat is available as a dry application (Natugrain® TS) or as a liquid application (Natugrain® Wheat TS L).
Manufacturer´s main claims
Improves the nutritional value of diets rich in Non-starch polysaccharides
Technical specifications of Natugrain® Wheat (Dry or Liquid)
EU category
Zootechnical additives
Functional group of additives
Digestibility enhancers
Active substance
endo-1,4-β-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8)
Enzymatic activity in the product
Xylanase: 5,600 TXU/g or 5,600 TXU/ml
EU approval, minimum content
280 TXU/kg feed
Chickens for fattening
Ornamental birds, minor avian species except for ducks and laying birds
560 TXU/kg feed
Turkeys for fattening
Turkeys reared for breeding
End of period of EU authorisation
5 March 2030
EU code
4a62
Production organism
Aspergillus niger (CBS 109.713)
Product storage stability
Samples of Natugrain® Wheat (Solid formulation) were stored for 12 months at either 20°C or 35°C. The loss of activity was 10% when stored at 20°C and 30% when stored at 35°C
Samples of Natugrain® Wheat (Liquid formulation) were stored for 44 weeks at either 4°C, 20°C or 35°C. The loss of activity ranged from 3% to 14%.
Storage stability in premix and feed
The solid product was added to premix and mash feed and stored for several weeks at around 20°C. After six months of storage, the enzymatic recovery in the premix was 98%. After four months of storage of the mash and pelleted feed, there was virtually no loss, with an enzymatic recovery of 98-99%.
Heat stability
Pelleting at 86°C reduced the xylanase activity by 26%.
Homogeneity
The product was tested for its homogeneous mixing ability in broiler feed. Six subsamples of the feed supplemented with the product were analysed. The coefficient of variance was 2.4%
Physical properties
The particle size distribution was measured. The test showed the following results:
>800 µm: 90% of the particles
<100 µm: 5.2%
<50 µm: 2.8%
<10 µm: 0.14%
Carrier
Solid product: Wheat middlings, vegetable oil and magnesium sulphate
Liquid product: Sorbitol, glycerol and sodium benzoate
Package size
20 kg bags or 1000 kg bulk containers
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 breathing protection."
Manufacturer
BASF
List of references
EFSA (2009). Scientific Opinion. Safety and efficacy of Natugrain® Wheat TS (endo-1,4-β-xylanase) for use as feed additive for chickens for fattening and ducks. The EFSA Journal (2009) 1155, 1-14
EFSA (2019). Assessment of the application for renewal of authorisation of Natugrain® Wheat TS and TL (endo-1,4-beta-xylanase) as a feed additive for chickens for fattening, ducks, turkeys for fattening, turkeys reared for breeding, minor avian species (except ducks and laying birds) and ornamental birds. EFSA Journal 2019;17(3):5652
EU (2008). Commission Regulation (EC) No 516/2008 amending Regulations (EC) No 1200/2005, (EC) No 184/2007, (EC) No 243/2007, (EC) No 1142/2007, (EC) No 1380/2007 and (EC) No 165/2008 as regards the terms of the authorisation of certain additives for use in animal nutrition. Official Journal of the European Union. L 151/3-4
EU (2012). Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1019/2012 of 6 November 2012 amending Regulation (EC) No 1096/2009 as regards the minimum content of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase produced by Aspergillus niger (CBS 109.713) as a feed additive in feed for chickens for fattening and ducks (holder of authorisation BASF SE). Official Journal of the European Union. L 307/60-61
EU (2020). Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2020/196 of 13 February 2020 concerning the renewal of endo-1,4- beta-xylanase produced by Aspergillus niger CBS 109.713 as a feed additive for chickens for fattening, turkeys for fattening, turkeys reared for breeding, minor avian species (except laying birds) and ornamental birds and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1380/2007, (EC) No 1096/2009 and implementing Regulation (EU) No 843/2012 (holder of authorisation BASF SE). Official Journal of the European Union L42/1-3