Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

It is estimated, that in the near future the ethanol plants in Canada will generate 1.3-1.4 million tonnes of corn and wheat distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) destined for animal and poultry feeding per year. In order to derive maximum value from these co-products, their natural advantage as feed ingredients must be presented to the poultry industry. DDGS are co-products of brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) fermentation which contain significant quantities of components (i.e., ß1,3- and ß1,6-glucans, nucleotides, mannan oligo- or polysaccharides) beneficial for gut development and health, and effective in immune system stimulation. The objective of the proposed research is to investigate the effect of corn- and wheat-based DDGS vs. yeast-derived products of brewing and bakery industries on gastrointestinal tract development, immune system function and growth performance of broiler chickens. Exogenous enzyme can be used to modify and to increase availability of active carbohydrate components upon introduction to the bird's digestive system. Potential synergistic effect of these supplements and the use of enzyme technology will be investigated. The milestones of this research are: 1. To investigate the effect of different carbohydrates and nucleotides derivatives from yeast products on innate and acquired immunity, and 2. To determine the immunomodulating and growth promoting effect of dietary DDGS using the chicken model developed for inducing necrotic enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens. This research will contribute to our better understanding of the nutritive value of DDGS co-products and will promote the use of corn and wheat DDGS, important Canadian feed resources, effectively in poultry rations.