Impact of Locally Characterized Protease from Geobacillus SBS 4S on the Growth of Poultry Bird

ABSTRACT Present study was conducted to determine the efficacy of novel thermostable protease in poultry production. The protease was produced from Geobacillus sp. SBS-4S using Luria Bertani medium and it was used as supplement in poultry feed trial. The data were statistically analyzed by Multivariate Analysis of Variance. For feeding, 150 day-old broiler chicks were divided randomly into 5 groups having 30 chicks each. Group A served as negative control, group B, C and D as experimental groups which were supplemented in the basal diet with 2500, 5000 and 7500 IU/kg of locally characterized thermostable protease while group E was supplemented with the commercially available neutral protease (5000 IU/ kg) that served as a positive control. The trial lasted for five weeks and during the trial period birds were offered ad libitum access to water and feed. The maximal weight gain was recorded when the feed was supplemented with 7500 IU/Kg of locally characterized protease. The evaluation of data of various groups obtained after 3rd, 4th and 5th weeks of trial demonstrated significant change (P≤ 0.05) in weight gain, feed up take and feed conversion ratio (FCR) as compared to negative control. Locally produced protease showed promising results as compared to positive control which is being used currently in the poultry industry. The weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of 1891.54g, 3750g and 1.98 of experimental group D were comparable to 1874.49g, 3740 g and 1.995 in case of positive control. The ability of protease to enhance weight gain, feed consumption and FCR in poultry birds makes it a strong candidate for the replacement of imported counterpart being utilized currently in poultry feed industry.