Name: FeedCheck Express
Cost: Contact your local Canadian Biosystems (CBS Inc.) representative or distributor for price information
Available at Canadian Biosystems websites (Link)
Intended use
A FeedCheck Express device is used to detect xylanase enzyme activity within the feed. Detecting the activity of xylanase enzyme in poultry feed, particularly when incorporating wheat into the diet, is important. Wheat contains high levels of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), specifically arabinoxylans, constituting a substantial portion of its dietary fiber. However, these NSPs are inherently indigestible by poultry, leading to potential digestive issues and reduced nutrient absorption. Incorporating xylanase enzymes in the feed transforms the fate of these NSPs. The NSP-degrading enzymes can provide fermentable oligosaccharides as a substrate for the beneficial bacteria (prebiotic effect), degrading the soluble and/or insoluble NSP. By breaking down complex arabinoxylans, xylanase converts them from potentially harmful, viscous fibers into compounds that actively support gut health. This enzymatic action enhances the availability of nutrients, particularly by releasing encapsulated nutrients within the wheat, promoting better digestion and overall gut health in poultry. Therefore, detecting and ensuring the presence of active xylanase becomes pivotal in optimizing poultry diets, especially those including wheat, and leveraging the dietary fiber to impact gut health and nutrient utilization positively.
Using the device
The kit comprises essential components: a bottle of buffer solution, five reaction vials, one reference reaction vial, and comprehensive usage instructions. Upon receiving your FeedCheck Express kit, it is essential to ensure all expected items are present and intact before commencing the testing process.
- To initiate the testing of feed samples, the first step involves using the reference reaction vial to establish a baseline for comparison with your samples. The reference reaction vial, spiked with xylanase concentrate, reacts quicker than standard feed samples. Add buffer solution to the 20-milliliter marker, shake, and allow the vial to react for an hour until it transforms into a deep Azure blue (color between cyan and blue).
- Simultaneously, while the reference reaction vial is undergoing the reaction process, prepare a blank feed sample using a standard reaction vial. This blank sample serves as a reference point for scenarios lacking enzyme supplements. Let this sample react for two hours, shaking every 30 minutes.
- For the final analysis of your feed, fill another standard reaction vial to the five-milliliter mark and then add buffer solution up to the 20-milliliter mark. Shake the vial thoroughly and let it sit for two hours, shaking it at 30-minute intervals.
- Upon completion of the reaction process, your sample should ideally resemble the deep Azure blue seen in the reference reaction vial, representing the presence of active xylanase enzyme in the feed. If the sample appears as a pale green shade, it is advisable to contact your CBS representative for further guidance and information.
Mohammad was the PIP team Research Associate (2021-2024) with extensive experience in poultry nutrition. He wrote science articles for newsletters and worked on developing adaptations and recommendations to support the adoption of new managerial tools, products, services, and practices by the poultry industry.
Looking at his poultry industry perspective, Mohammad has been serving the poultry industry through his extensive experience in feed formulation as an animal nutritionist over the past ten years. He was also a university lecturer for 10 years. Mohammad was a member of the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) at the U of A. Mohammad graduated with a Ph.D. degree in Animal Science from the University of Alberta with a Postdoctoral fellowship before moving to his Research Associate position with the PIP team. Serving the poultry industry as an animal nutritionist for more than a decade, Mohammad loves teaching and worked as a university lecturer in Iran and a teaching assistant at the U of A. Mohammad was inspired by Dr. Frank Robinson, practicing the inquiry-based learning method when working as a TA in his “Principles of Animal Agriculture” class. “I have a strong passion on poultry nutrition and have always loved to help poultry producers with optimizing the poultry systems. The challenging part of working with live animals is that you need to be on call even as a nutritionist. However, the joy of seeing healthy animals and help with their welfare overcome the challenging part.”
