Phytase Applications in Non-Ruminant Nutrition

Phytase enzymes have revolutionised the feeding of monogastric livestock by catalysing the hydrolysis of phytate, the principal storage form of phosphorus in plant-based ingredients. In the absence of exogenous phytase, non-ruminant animals such as pigs and poultry are unable to access the phosphorus bound within myo-inositol hexakisphosphate, resulting in reduced nutrient availability and increased phosphorus excretion. Supplementation with microbial phytase not only enhances the digestibility of phosphorus but also liberates inositol phosphates, improving the uptake of calcium, sodium, potassium and key amino acids. These effects translate into enhanced growth performance, improved bone mineralisation and reduced reliance on inorganic phosphate supplements. Moreover, the strategic use of phytase supports environmental stewardship by lowering phosphorus runoff and contributes to economic sustainability through reduced feed costs. Advances in enzyme engineering and an improved understanding of gastrointestinal site-specific activity have enabled precise formulation of diets with optimised phytase inclusion rates, paving the way for more efficient and environmentally responsible monogastric nutrition worldwide.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Phytase Applications in Non-Ruminant Nutrition publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in phytase applications in non-ruminant nutrition across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Phytase: An enzyme that cleaves phosphate groups from phytate (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate), liberating utilizable phosphorus and lower inositol phosphates in monogastric animals.

Phytate: The primary storage form of phosphorus in plant seeds and grains; it is indigestible by non-ruminants without phytase and binds essential minerals and proteins.

FTU (Phytase Unit): A measure of phytase activity, defined as the amount of enzyme that liberates one micromole of inorganic phosphate per minute under specified conditions.

Ileal Digestibility: The proportion of a nutrient absorbed in the small intestine, determined by measuring intake and ileal digesta output at the distal ileum.

Inositol Phosphates: A series of myo-inositol esters with varying numbers of phosphate groups (e.g., IP₆, IP₅), produced sequentially during phytate hydrolysis and contributing to phosphorus and inositol availability.

References

1. Amino acid and mineral digestibility, bone ash, and plasma inositol is increased by including microbial phytase in diets for growing pigs. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology (2023).
2. Hydrolysis of phytate and formation of inositol phosphate isomers without or with supplemented phytases in different segments of the digestive tract of broilers. Journal of Nutritional Science (2015).
3. Hydrolysis of phytate to its lower esters can influence the growth performance and nutrient utilization of broilers with regular or super doses of phytase. Poultry Science (2017).