Phytase Supplementation of Soybean Meal

Several new research studies have been reported on the utilization of phosphorus in soybean meal. Irish researchers fed growing-finishing pigs three levels of microbial phytase, two levels of phosphorus and two levels of calcium. The diets contained identical levels of digestible energy and lysine. Added phytase, phosphorus or calcium had no effect on pig growth. Increasing levels of phytase increase bone strength, digestibilities of phosphorus, ash and protein, and levels of phosphorus in the feces. A significant interaction between phytase and calcium supplementation was observed. Pigs fed the low-calcium diet containing 600 units of phytase per kilogram had higher dry matter and energy digestibilities than pigs fed the high-calcium diet. Pigs fed the low calcium diet containing no added phytase, or 300 units of phytase, had similar digestibilities.

O’Doherty, J.V., S. Forde and J.J. Callan. 1999. The use of microbial phytase in grower and finisher pig diets. Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research. 38(2):227-239.