An Apparent Inhibitor in Barley Influencing Efficiency of Utilization by Chicks

Abstract

FRY et al. (1957a, b) and Jensen, et al. (1957) have reported on the beneficial aspects of water soaking and from amylolytic or fungal enzyme sources for increasing utilization of barley by chicks and poults. Confirmation of these findings has been forthcoming from several groups; namely, Arscott (1958), Wharton et al. (1958) and Dobson and Anderson (1958). Little information has been presented regarding the mode of action for this response. The generally accepted hypothesis proposed would indicate the chick does not produce enzyme(s) required for the digestibility of barley, Fry et al. (1957b), and that by implication the soaking and drying process initiates the deficient enzyme (s) in barley. An alternative hypothesis initially mentioned by Fry et al. (1957a) points out that the presence of an inhibitor in barley should not be overlooked. Since several examples of inhibitory action involving feeds are already known our attention has been directed toward …