Introduction
Xygest HT is a thermostable xylanase enzyme product designed to enhance feed efficiency and animal performance in poultry and other monogastric animals.
Manufacturer´s main claims
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Thermostability: Xygest HT is capable of withstanding high temperatures, maintaining its effectiveness even after pelleting processes up to 95°C. This ensures that the enzyme remains active and effective in feed applications.
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Feed Efficiency: The product improves feed digestion by breaking down non-starch polysaccharides, such as arabinoxylans in wheat and corn. This leads to reduced gut viscosity and better nutrient absorption, ultimately enhancing animal performance.
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Animal Health and Performance: Xygest HT has been shown to improve animal health by promoting the activity of beneficial gut bacteria. This results in better overall health and increased performance metrics in poultry, including higher weight gain and improved feed conversion efficiency.
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Cost Savings: By maximizing feed efficiency, Xygest HT can help reduce feed costs, which is a significant expense in poultry operations. Documented savings of $14 per ton of feed have been reported without compromising production parameters.
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Versatility: The enzyme can be used in various diet formulations and conditions, making it a flexible solution for different feed management strategies.
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Product Support: Xygest HT is backed by extensive product trials and comes with expert formulation advice and support tailored to specific operational needs.
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Prebiotic Activity: The enzyme accelerates the activity of beneficial gut bacteria, enhancing the prebiotic effects in the animal's digestive system.
Technical specifications of Xygest™ HT
EU category
Zootechnical additives
Functional group of additives
Digestibility enhancers
Active substance
endo-1,4-beta-xylanase
Enzymatic activity in the product
3,000,000 U/g
EU approval, minimum content
All laying poultry
All poultry species for breeding
45,000 U/kg feed
All poultry species for fattening
All poultry species reared for laying or breeding
30,000 U/kg feed
End of period of EU authorisation
All laying poultry
13 April 2033
All poultry species for breeding
All poultry species for fattening
All poultry species reared for laying or breeding
8 January 2024
EU code
4a36
Production organism
Komagataella phaffii (ATCC PTA-127053)
Product storage stability
The stability of Xygest was evaluated under various conditions to assess its durability and effectiveness over time. Here is a neutral and informative summary of the findings:
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Storage Stability: The additive was tested in samples stored at different temperatures: 4°C, 22°C, and 40°C. Over a period of up to 12 months at 4°C and up to 20 months at 22°C, negligible losses in activity were observed. However, at 40°C, losses of up to 34% were noted over a 6-month period.
Storage stability in premix and feed
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Premixture Stability: In a commercial vitamin/mineral premixture, Xygest was added at a concentration of 450 mg/kg and stored at room temperature. After 6 months, negligible losses in activity were recorded, indicating good stability in this formulation.
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Heat and Feed Stability: The additive was tested in both mash and pelleted forms of complete feed for layers, added at 30 mg/kg (equivalent to 90,000 U/kg feed). The feed was stored at room temperature for 3 months. The mash feed was pelleted at 90°C for 30 seconds, resulting in a 16% loss of activity due to heat treatment. Over the storage period, losses were negligible in mash feed and 13% in pelleted feed.
Homogeneity
The additive's ability to distribute evenly was assessed using ten subsamples of the complete feed. The coefficient of variation, which measures the extent of variability in relation to the mean, was found to be 6%. This low coefficient indicates a high degree of homogeneity in the distribution of Xygest within the feed, suggesting that the additive mixes well and consistently throughout the feed mixture.
Carrier
Dried ferment: 11-20%
Maize starch: 78-87%
Calcium carbonate: 0.5 - 2%
Physical properties
Xygest is presented as a powder.
The particle size distribution was analyzed using the laser-diffraction method across three batches. The results indicated that:
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- Approximately 30.6% of the particles were smaller than 100 µm, with a range of 29.7% to 31.2%.
- Around 13.0% of the particles were smaller than 50 µm, with a range of 12.2% to 14.2%.
- About 1.3% of the particles were smaller than 10 µm, with a range of 1.2% to 1.7%.
Handling
The European Commission states: "For users of the additive and premixtures, feed business operators shall establish operational procedures and organisational measures to address the potential risks resulting from their use. Where those risks cannot be eliminated by such procedures and measures, the additive and premixtures shall be used with personal breathing, skin and eye protective equipment."
Manufacturer
Kemin
List of references
EFSA (2022). Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of endo-1,4-b-xylanase produced by Komagataella phaffii ATCC PTA-127053 (XygestTM HT) for poultry (Kemin Europa N.V.). EFSA Journal 2022;20(7):7439
EU (2023). COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2023/668 of 22 March 2023 concerning the authorisation of a preparation of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase produced by Komagataella phaffii ATCC PTA-127053 as a feed additive for all laying poultry (holder of authorisation: Kemin Europa N.V.). Official Journal of the European Union. L84/7-9
EU (2023). COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2023/2802 of 18 December 2023 concerning the authorisation of a preparation of endo–1,4-beta-xylanase produced by Komagataella phaffii ATCC PTA-127053 as a feed additive for all poultry species for fattening, breeding, and
reared for laying or breeding (holder of authorisation: Kemin Europa N.V.). Official Journal of the European Union, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2023/2802/oj