Sustainability Wins – Protease Impacts Nitrogen Emissions

Chickens standing in front of a blue sky

In modern broiler production systems, balancing environmental responsibility with animal performance and economic efficiency can be a challenge. One of the key opportunities lies in improving protein utilization efficiency. Supplementing poultry diets with protease enzymes has demonstrated measurable benefits in reducing nitrogen excretion, which contributes to lower ammonia emissions. High levels of ammonia have negative impacts on animals’ health and welfare and young animals are more susceptible (Hoang et al., 2016), ultimately impacting overall performance.

Protein Digestibility and Nitrogen Excretion

Dietary protein represents one of the largest input costs in poultry feeding. However, incomplete digestion of protein results in excess nitrogen excretion, primarily as uric acid. This nitrogen is subsequently converted to ammonia in the litter, with implications for bird welfare (e.g., respiratory irritation, ocular damage, footpad lesions) and environmental impact (e.g., air and water pollution).

Improving protein digestibility is therefore not only a nutritional objective but also an environmental one. In optimizing the release and absorption of amino acids, the pool of undigested nitrogen compounds available for microbial transformation in the litter is reduced, resulting in lower nitrogen excretion.

Role of Protease Enzymes

CIBENZA^® EP150 Enzyme Feed Additive contains a serine alkaline endo-protease designed to effectively complement endogenous enzymes. It acts within the digestive tract to support the breakdown of complex protein structures from both conventional and alternative protein sources (e.g., rapeseed meal, DDGS, feather meal).

Trial data shows that use of CIBENZA^® EP150 Enzyme Feed Additive can:

Contribute to reducing ammonia in the ceca by up to 24%
Decrease ammonia in fresh excreta by up to 15%
Increase apparent protein digestibility by 4–8% when used in lower crude protein diets

National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan, 2013

Formulation Considerations and Environmental Outcomes

Beyond nutritional efficacy, CIBENZA^® EP150 Enzyme Feed Additive supports broader operational goals. By improving protein digestibility, producers can formulate diets with lower total crude protein without compromising performance. This translates into reduced nitrogen excretion while helping to meet regulatory targets for emissions.

This approach also contributes to welfare goals by reducing ammonia concentrations in the housing environment, which is an important consideration under evolving industry guidelines.

CIBENZA^® EP150 Enzyme Feed Additive delivers its primary effect in vivo by complementing the bird’s own proteolytic enzymes (e.g., trypsin, chymotrypsin) and enhancing nutrient release from substrates that are otherwise resistant to digestion. This makes it a valuable tool in both standard and alternative ingredient diets.

Implications for Production Systems

As sustainability targets evolve, broiler operations are under increasing pressure to demonstrate environmental responsibility through measurable actions. Reducing ammonia emissions is a practical and visible step toward achieving these goals. At the same time, optimizing protein digestibility improves feed efficiency, helping producers manage feed costs and support animal performance. Learn how CIBENZA^® EP150 Enzyme Feed Additive supports these outcomes as part of our broader commitment to intelligent nutrition and sustainability.

Sylvia Peris, DVM, Ph.D.

Dr. Silvia Peris is a veterinarian specializing in animal husbandry and nutrition. At NOVUS she works on-site with colleagues and customers throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa to provide management advice and nutrition solutions for poultry and swine producers, veterinarians, nutritionists, and feed mills. Read more about Dr. Peris...