Effect of Phytase on Protein Utilization

To obtain more definitive information on the effect of phytase on phosphorus and protein utilization, researchers at the University of Illinois conducted four chick trials with three phytase enzymes obtained from three difference sources (Aspergillus, Peniophora and E. Coli). The assay involved 8-day old male chicks fed a corn-soybean meal diet deficient in phosphorus (23% crude protein, 0.38 % total and 0.10% estimated available phosphorus on as fed basis). The results confirm that high dietary levels of phytase enzymes can release most of the phosphorus from the corn and soybean meal ingredients, however, the enzyme does not improve the protein utilization of the experimental diet that is low in protein and limiting in methionine and lysine.

Augspurger, N.R. and D.H. Baker. 2004. High dietary phytase levels maximize phytate-phosphorus utilization but do not affect protein utilization in chicks fed phosphorus- or amino acid -deficient diets.