Winzyme X

Introduction
Winzyme® X is an enzyme product designed to break down non-starch polysaccharides, specifically arabinoxylans, which are typically indigestible by animals. This breakdown process releases nutrients that were previously trapped, thereby improving energy utilisation and protein availability. As a result, it enhances feed efficiency and supports better growth rates in animals.

Manufacturer´s main claims

  • Effective Breakdown of Non-Starch Polysaccharides: Winzyme® X effectively breaks down non-starch polysaccharides, particularly arabinoxylans, which are indigestible by animals. This process releases trapped nutrients, thereby improving energy utilization and protein availability.

  • Improved Feed Efficiency and Growth Rates: By breaking down these complex carbohydrates, Winzyme® X enhances feed efficiency and supports better growth rates in animals.

  • Key Benefits:

    • Breaks Down Arabinoxylan: It specifically targets and breaks down arabinoxylan, a complex carbohydrate found in plant cell walls, which improves nutrient digestion and bioavailability.
    • Boosts Nutrient Uptake: This leads to better nutrient absorption and utilization.
    • Supports Intestinal Health: It contributes to improved intestinal health in animals.
    • Enhances Digestion Efficiency: Overall digestion efficiency is improved, optimizing nutrition and performance in animal diets.

  • Versatile Applications: Winzyme® X is available in both solid and liquid forms and is suitable for various animal species, including poultry, swine, and ruminants. This versatility makes it a valuable tool for enhancing animal growth and health across different types of livestock.

Technical specifications of Winzyme® X (solid or liquid)

EU category
Zootechnical additives

Functional group of additives
Digestibility enhancers

Active substance

endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8)

Enzymatic activity in the product

Solid and liquid 

30,000 U/g endo-1,4-xylanase


EU approval, minimum content

All laying poultry
Suckling piglets
Piglets of minor porcine species (suckling and weaned)

2000 U/kg feed

All avian species other than laying poultry

1000 U/kg feed

End of period of EU authorisation

26 March 2034

EU code

4a44

Production organism

Komagataella phaffii CGMCC 7.371

Product storage stability

The shelf-life of two formulations was studied over a period of 12 months.

  • Sample Details: Samples of 30 grams or milliliters from three batches were used.
  • Storage Conditions:
    • Packaging: Solid formulations in zip bags and liquid formulations in bottles.
    • Environment: Stored at temperatures of 5°C or 20°C with 60% relative humidity.
  • Measurements: Enzyme activities were measured in viscosity and DNS units.
  • Results:
    • No loss in enzyme activity for samples stored at 5°C for 12 months.
    • At 20°C, enzyme activity loss was ≤ 8% for the solid formulation and ≤ 11% for the liquid formulation after 12 months.

 

Storage stability in premix and feed

The shelf-life and stability of Winzyme® X, available in both powder and liquid formulations, have been studied under specific conditions:

  • Shelf-Life Claims:

    • Powder: 18 months when stored at 25°C.
    • Liquid: 18 months when stored at 5°C.

  • Powder Formulation:

    • Storage Study: Three batches of Winzyme® X powder were stored at 25 ± 1°C in non-transparent silver bags for up to 18 months.
    • Enzyme Activity: At the end of the storage period, the enzyme activity averaged 79.0% of the initial activity, with a range of 75.6% to 80.0%.

  • Liquid Formulation:

    • Storage Study: Three batches of Winzyme® X liquid were stored at 5 ± 1°C in non-transparent brown plastic bottles for up to 18 months.
    • Enzyme Activity: At the end of the storage period, the enzyme activity averaged 95.9% of the initial activity, with a range of 89.3% to 101.3%.

  • Stability in Premixture and Complete Feeds:

    • Premixture Study: One batch of Winzyme® X powder was added to a vitamin-mineral premixture for chickens at 2 g/kg premixture. After storage at 25 ± 1°C in zip-lock plastic foil bags, the loss of xylanase activity was 41.2% after 1 month and 61.2% after 6 months.
    • Mash Feeds: The supplemented premixture was blended into mash feeds for chickens and piglets to achieve a minimum xylanase activity of 2,000 U/kg feed. No losses in enzyme activity were observed after 3 months of storage at 25°C in zip-lock plastic foil bags.

  • Pelleted Feeds:

    • Preparation: Non-supplemented mash feeds were pelleted at a maximum temperature of 70°C. The liquid form of the additive was sprayed onto the pellets at 2,000 U/kg feed. Another portion was mixed with the premix supplemented with the powder form to achieve the same activity level and pelleted under similar conditions.
    • Storage Stability: After 3 months of storage at 25°C in zip-lock plastic foil bags, the loss of activity ranged between 14.7% and 42.9% for Winzyme® X powder supplemented feeds, and between 9.7% and 23.3% for Winzyme® X liquid sprayed feeds.

Physical properties

Winzyme® X Powder:

  • Appearance: White to light grey powder.
  • Density: Average solid density of 1,454 kg/m³.
  • Dusting Potential: Average of 21.7 mg/m³, with a range of 0 to 35 mg/m³.
  • Particle Size Distribution: Analyzed by laser-diffraction method, showing:
    • 35% of particles are smaller than 100 micrometers (µm).
    • 9.4% of particles are smaller than 50 micrometers (µm).
    • 0.06% of particles are smaller than 10 micrometers (µm).

Winzyme® X Liquid:

  • Appearance: Yellowish to light brown liquid.
  • Viscosity: Average viscosity of 2.01 centipoise (cP) at 20°C.
  • Density: Average bulk density of 1,100 kg/m³.

Homogeneity

  • Winzyme® X Powder:

    • Mash Feed: The coefficient of variation in mash feed was 36.7%, indicating a high level of variability.
    • Pelleted Feed: The coefficient of variation in pelleted feed was 30.3%, also considered very high.

  • Winzyme® X Liquid:

    • Pelleted Feed: When sprayed on top of pelleted feed for chickens, the coefficient of variation was 6%, indicating a more uniform distribution compared to the powder form.

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 by such procedures and measures, the additive and premixtures shall be used with personal protective equipment, including breathing protection, eye protection and skin protection

Manufacturer
VNzymes

List of references

EFSA (2023). Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of endo-b-1,4-xylanase produced by Komagataella phaffii CGMCC 7.371 (VTR-xylanase) for all avian species, piglets (suckling and weaned) and minor growing porcine species (Victory Enzymes GmbH). EFSA Journal, 2023;21(8):8150

EU (2024). COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2024/794 of 5 March 2024 concerning the authorisation of a preparation of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase produced by Komagataella phaffii CGMCC 7.371 as a feed additive for all avian species and piglets of all Suidae species (holder of authorisation: Victory Enzymes GmbH). Official Journal of the European Union, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/794/oj