The presence of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) in the plant cell wall reduces the digestibility and limits the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and performance of animals. The main chain degrading enzymes, especially xylanase, cellulase and glucanase play an important role in improving the digestibility of NSP in the feed. Ferulic acid esterase (FAE) breaks the ferulate cross linkages in the plant cell wall, and aids the main chain hydrolases to further degrade the plant cell wall. The present study investigated the synergy of FAE in combination with main chain degrading enzymes in improving the AME of birds fed with high fiber diet. The addition of FAE improves the access of main chain degrading enzymes, digestibility of high fiber diet, AME in layers and broilers, Body weight and reduces FCR in broilers.
