The main ingredients in cereal grains are protein and starch. These nutrients are surrounded by non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) which are indigestible carbohydrates. To release the nutrients, the cell wall must be broken down, but this is difficult as some are soluble in water resulting in viscous properties and swelling which can negatively affect the digestive process by preventing digestive enzyme activity. Enzymes have been used to hydrolyse the soluble fractions of wheat and barley in order to improve digestibility. These NSP hydrolysing enzymes may have an impact on the intestinal microbial community as well. An enzyme was used to study the rate of metabolite production, dietary fibre fermentation in the pig large intestine and hindgut microbiota. Performance was not effected, but improved nutrient digestibility and energy content of the diet was noted when the enzyme was present.
