The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of feeding fibrolytic enzyme (cellulose and xylanase) on intake and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients in cattle receiving diets containing corn silage or Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon spp.). Eight animals fitted with ruminal cannulae and averaging 340 kg of body weight were randomly assigned to two replicated 4 x 4 Latin squares in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments (forage sources with or without fibrolytic enzyme supplementation). The commercial enzymatic complex used, which was extracted from Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma longibrachiatum fungi was mixed with the forage and concentrate and supplied at a daily amount of 12 g/animal. There was no effect of enzymatic supplementation on nutrient intake for both forage sources. However, the addition of fibrolytic enzymes increased the apparent total tract digestibilities of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and cellulose from 36.87, 36.21, and 46.89% to 41.19, 40.01, and 50.46%, respectively.
cellulase; corn silage; ruminants; tifton hay; xylanase
