Global Update on

β-Mannan Content
in Common Feed
Ingredients

Extensive research shows β-mannans are

key anti-nutritional components present in a
majority of feed ingredients
(Hsiao et al., 2006; Ferrel et al., 2014; Pahm et al., 2016)

The highest concentrations of β-mannans are found in feed

ingredients like soybean meal (and other legume meals),
sunflower meal, palm kernel meal and copra meal. Since
soybean meal is a major protein source in feeds produced
around the world, it is safe to presume that β-mannan is
present in most feeds (Hsiao et al., 2006, Ferrel et al., 2014).

β-Mannans in vegetable feed ingredients are linear

polysaccharides composed of repeating β-(1-4) mannose
β-(1-6) galactose and/or glucose units attached to the
β-mannan backbone (Figure 1). Unlike other anti-nutritional
factors, such as trypsin inhibitor, β-mannans are highly
viscous, water-soluble, heat-resistant compounds that survive
all drying and thermal feed processing procedures, such as
toasting, pelleting and extrusion (Couch et al., 1967).

Figure 1. Legume galactomannan

As a result, experiments with different β-mannan sources

have demonstrated they can be intensely anti-nutritional
in monogastric species leading to reductions in intestinal
integrity (Poulsen et al., 2017), animal performance and
body weight uniformity (Jackson, 2013). Because they
resemble molecular structures found on the cell surface of
many pathogenic microorganisms, these large β-mannan
molecules can elicit an innate immune response that
unnecessarily diverts and wastes nutrients that would
otherwise be used for growth and production (Arsenault et
al., 2017; Hsiao et al., 2004; Alemi et al., 2015)
Research update: Global prevalence of soluble β-mannan content in primary feedstuffs1
A worldwide β-mannan survey was conducted between March and November 2017. During this period, 236 feed ingredient
samples were collected from 21 countries, including Asia (China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam); Europe
Middle East and Africa (Denmark, Finland, France, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, and United
Kingdom); Latin America (Brazil, Guatemala, and Mexico) and North America (Canada and USA). The results from this survey
are reported in Table 1.

Table 1. Estimated soluble β-mannan concentrations of common feed ingredients

1. The β-mannan content is estimated from analyzed mannose sugar content using the formulas:
Soluble β-mannan, % = Soluble mannose % x 1.5
Total β-mannan, % = Soluble mannose % + (total mannose % – soluble mannose %)
2. Results from samples collected earlier
For discussion: Five key findings based on the 236 samples in the global β-mannan survey

Variances in and within β-Mannan content

feed ingredient type in broiler diets
The estimated content of soluble β-mannan varies across The estimated soluble β-mannan
and within feed ingredient type. This may be due to: content in common broiler diets
• Differences in plant varieties will, depending on the actual
• Growing conditions composition, likely range from:
• Ingredient processing • 0.25-0.36% Starter diets
• Assay execution • 0.24-0.35% Finisher diets

Variances by geography β-Mannan content

There were also geographic differences as illustrated in swine diets
for soybean meal in Figure 2. Results ranged widely, The estimated soluble
from 0.2% to 1.0%. Soy samples from Argentina and β-mannan content in common
the USA were more uniform and had lower β-mannan swine diets will, depending on
content than samples from Brazil and Russia. the actual composition, likely
range from:
Figure 2. Soluble β-mannan content of dehulled soybean • 0.1-0.3% Finisher diets
meal (>46% CP) by the country it was grown
• 0.1-0.4% Nursery diets

Minimum dietary β-mannan content

that will reduce animal performance
Several factors make it difficult to estimate the absolute
minimum dietary β-mannan content needed to cause
intestinal inflammation and reduce animal performance
and potentially also the health status.

However, in controlled in vitro research settings, as

little as 0.05% soluble β-mannan has been reported
as sufficient to elicit a strong innate immune response
(Klasing et al., 2014).

In conclusion
In conclusion, β-mannans are present in a wide variety of commonly used feed ingredients.
The levels of β-mannan may vary significantly, and care should be taken to understand
the total content of soluble β-mannan in complete feeds in order to estimate their impact
on animal growth performance.
1
Arsenault, R.J., Lee, J.T., Latham, R., Carter, B., and Kogut, M.H. 2017. Changes in immune and metabolic gut response in broilers fed
β-mannanase in β-mannan-containing diets. Poultry Science 0:1-10
2
Couch, J.R., Y.K. Bakshi, T.M. Ferguson, E.B. Smith and C.R. Creger (1967) The effect of processing on the nutritional value of guar meal for broiler
chicks. British Poultry Science 8: 243‐250.
3
Daskiran, M., Teeter, R., Fodge, D. and Hsiao, H. 2004. “An Evaluation of Endo-β-D-mannanase (Hemicell) Effects on Broiler Performance and
Energy Use in Diets Varying in β-mannan Content.” Poultry Science 83: 662-668.
4
Fatemeh Alemi*, Kirk Klasing*, and Nannette Olmeda-Geniec. 2015. “Effect of Hemicell HT enzyme on the immune system of chickens and their
performance.” International Poultry Scientific Forum Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia January 26-27 2015; n/a: 54
5
Ferrel, J., Anderson, D., and Hsiao, H.Y. Content of Soluble Non-Starch Polysaccharides β-mannan and Xylan in Legume Meals, Non-Legume
Meals, and Cereal Grains or Cereal Grain by-products. ASAS in 2014, Journal Animal Science, 92: Abstract #328
6
Hsiao, H-Y., Anderson, D. and Dale, N. 2006. “Levels of β-mannan in Soybean Meal.” Poultry Science 85: 1430-1432.
7
Hsiao, H.-Y., Anderson, D.M., Jin, F.L., and Mathis, G.F. 2004. “Efficacy of β-mannanase (Hemicell®) in broiler chickens infected with necrotic
enteritis. International Scientific Forum, Abstract 120, The Southern Conference on Avian Diseases.
8
Jackson, M.E. 2013. The effect of β-mannanase on broiler performance and uniformity. Australian Poultry Science Symposium; 24: 92-95.
9
Klasing, K.C. et al., 2014. HTLUS130004. Pilot Efficacy Study: Effect of Hemicell HT Enzyme on the Immune System of Broiler Chickens Using and
In Vivo and In Vitro Study Techniques. Data on file.
10
Qiao, Y., Cervantes-Pahm, S., Zhai, L., Martinez, M., Carter, S., and Ewis, H. 2016. Contents of soluble non-starch polysaccharide:
β-galactomannan in alternative legume and non-legume feed ingredients. World´s Poultry Congress, Abstract #1-0415.
11
Poulsen, K., Baker K. T.., Kwiatkowski, T. and Watkins, K. L. 2017. Effects of B-mannanase on intestinal health analyzed in 17 European
experiences. Proceedings 21st European symposium on poultry nutrition. Abstract 3308.
12
Slominski, B. and Campbell, L. 1990. “Non-starch Polysaccharides of Canola Meal: Quantification, Digestibility in Poultry and Potential Benefit
of Dietary Enzyme Supplementation.” J. Sci. Food Agri. 53: 175-184.
13
Whistler, R.L., and Sarnio, J., 1957. Galactomannans from Soybean Hulls. Presented before the Division of Carbohydrate Chemistry at the 131st
Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Miami, Florida, April, 1957. Journal Paper No. 1105 of the Purdue University Agricultural Experiment
Station, Lafayette, Indiana. 6055-6056.

For more information about the β-mannan survey or the conclusions in this paper,
contact your Elanco Nutritional Health representative.

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