Multienzyme preparation containing a blend of mannanase, xylanase, cellulase, pectinase, β-glucanase, amylase, protease, and phytase on the performance of laying hens fed corn–soybean meal diet

This study evaluates the dose–response effects of a multienzyme blend on performance, egg and eggshell quality, caecal microflora, nutrient digestibility, and digesta viscosity in hens fed corn–soybean meal (SBM) diet. Three hundred, 23-week-old Hy-Line Brown hens (1.92 kg) from GANONGBIO breeding farms, South Korea, were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments (15 replicates, 4 hens/replicate). After a 14-day adaptation, hens received a corn–SBM basal diet (CON) or CON supplemented with 0.015% (ME1), 0.025% (ME2), 0.0375% (ME3), or 0.05% (ME4) multienzyme for 12 weeks. Multienzyme supplementation linearly improved ( p < 0.05) hen-day egg production, egg mass, and feed conversion at 12 weeks. Egg loss showed a quadratic effect ( p < 0.05) during 8 weeks, and a linear reduction ( p < 0.05) at 12 weeks. Haugh unit, yolk weight, and percentage showed a quadratic effect ( p < 0.05) at 12 weeks, while yolk cholesterol decreased linearly ( p < 0.05) at 8 weeks. Digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, gross energy, nonstarch polysaccharides, xylan, threonine, valine, and serine increased linearly ( p < 0.05). Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. increased ( p < 0.05), while Escherichia coli and coliforms decreased ( p < 0.05). Multienzyme inclusion from ME1 to ME4 amplified prebiotic and bioactive effects within the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in enhanced nutrient metabolism, improved gut health, and performance in laying hens.