Acid Protease for Feed Protein Digestibility
An enzyme that works where digestion actually starts, at the low pH of the stomach and the proventriculus.
Feed protein that is not digested is paid for twice: once at purchase and again as nitrogen excreted into the litter. The practical difficulty is that the first and most acidic stage of digestion is where much of the opportunity sits, and many supplemental proteases are poorly matched to it. Acid protease is active in exactly that window, which is why it is used as a digestibility aid in monogastric diets rather than as a general-purpose additive. It supports the animal's own pepsin in opening up protein structures early, so more of the amino acid content is available for absorption downstream. This matters most in diets built on plant proteins with anti-nutritional structures, and in young animals whose own enzyme output has not fully developed. We supply feed-grade acid protease in bulk, with samples for trial formulations.
Broiler and layer diets
Poultry pass feed through an acidic proventriculus and gizzard quickly, so early protein breakdown has a short window in which to happen. Supplementing proteolytic activity in that window is intended to raise apparent digestibility of the plant protein fraction and reduce the undigested nitrogen reaching the hind gut, which is also where wet litter problems begin.
Swine, especially weaners
Newly weaned pigs have limited endogenous enzyme capacity at exactly the moment their diet shifts from milk to plant protein. Acid protease is used in weaner and starter diets to help bridge that gap, supporting protein utilisation while the animal's own digestive system matures.
Diets built on soybean and plant meals
Soybean meal and similar plant proteins carry structures that resist digestion and can irritate the gut. Proteolytic breakdown of those fractions is one of the routes used to improve the nutritional value of least-cost formulations without changing the raw material mix.
Aquaculture feed
Where species and process allow, proteolytic supplementation is used to raise protein utilisation in aqua diets, with the additional benefit that nitrogen not absorbed by the animal ends up in the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why an acid protease specifically for feed?
Because the stomach is acidic. The earliest and most aggressive stage of protein digestion happens at low pH, and an enzyme chosen to be active there can contribute during that stage rather than only after it.
Does it replace the animal's own enzymes?
No. It supplements them. The intent is to add proteolytic capacity during a window where the animal's own output can be limiting, particularly in young animals and in diets high in resistant plant protein.
Will it survive pelleting?
Thermal stability depends on the product form and on your conditioning temperature and retention time. This is the single most important question to settle before a trial, so tell us your pelleting conditions and we will advise on the appropriate form.
How is it usually dosed?
It is normally included through the premix so it disperses evenly through the batch. Inclusion depends on diet composition and species, and we will discuss it against your formulation rather than quote a universal figure.
Can we run a feeding trial first?
Yes. We provide samples for trial formulations so you can evaluate performance on your own diets and species before moving to bulk.
Trial acid protease in your own formulation
Provide substrate type, process pH and temperature, and desired hydrolysis outcome. We’ll recommend grade (50k or 100k U/g), ship a 100 g trial with COA, and quote for 25 kg drums within 24 h.
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