Total Phytate Solutions
Phosphorus is an essential nutrient in livestock diets. It affects growth, reproduction and feed use. Much of the naturally occurring phosphorus in feed ingredients is unavailable to animals. With most plant phosphorus being excreted undigested, inorganic phosphate has to be added to diets to compensate.
Phytases are digestive enzymes which release plant phosphorus from phytic acid. Monogastric animals lack sufficient phytases to release the phosphorus. Adding extra phytases to the diet increases phytate breakdown and consequent utilization of plant phosphorus. If phosphorus in the diet is utilized more efficiently, then less of this substance is excreted. This reduces the impact of livestock production on the environment. If more phosphorus is available naturally, then less of this substance has to be added to the diet. This greatly reduces feed costs. Phytase is the most widely used feed enzyme in the world, included in ~95% of poultry and ~80% of pig diets.