PHYTASE FACT SHEET

Phytase - An enzyme that breaks down the undigestable phytic acid (phytate) portion
in grains and oil seeds; thereby, releasing digestible phosphorus and calcium for the
pig.
tudies ha!e indicated that the inclusion of phytase in swine diets has increased the
a!ailability of phytate phosphorus in a corn-soy diet from appro"imately #$% to
&$%.
Phytase acti!ity is e"pressed as 'phytase units' or '()*' per unit of feed (i.e. -
()*+kg or ()*+lb.) ()* is a worldwide standard unit.
,ne phytase unit is the acti!ity of phytase that generates # micromole of inorganic
phosphorus per minute from an e"cess of sodium phytate at p- $.$ and ./ degrees
0elsius.
1anufacturers of Phytase2
3A( - (4atuphos 566
a
+dry, 4atuphos $666
a
+dry 7 li8uid, and 4atuphos
#666
a
+dry -9
a
: ()*+gram;)
Alltech, <nc. - (Allzyme Phytase + dry or li8uid)
=oche - ( =onozyme P + dry or li8uid)
)he inclusion rate for phytase in all stages of swine diets is ##$ to >>/ ()*+lb. (or a
corn-soy diet without supplemental fat, the inclusion rate would be appro"imately
##$ to #$6 ()*+lb. A diet with a significant amount of supplemental fat should be
increased to appro"imately #$6 to >>/ ()*+lb. *se a higher inclusion rate in the
initial diet phase and decrease the rate o!er the duration of the phases. At these
inclusion rates, the total phosphorus le!el can be reduced appro"imately #6%. <n
addition, calcium should also be reduced appro"imately #6% to maintain the proper
calcium2phosphorus ratio.
(eeding of phytase will increase trace mineral absorption and it also has the potential
to increase amino acid digestibility.
?ith the recommended phytase inclusion le!el, the phytase addition will not
increase the cost of the diet.
Phytase addition to swine diets will reduce the amount of phosphorus in the manure.
)he amount of reduction will depend on diet type, inclusion rate of phytase, degree of
replacement of inorganic phosphorus, and the dietary phosphorus relati!e to the
animal needs.
As a general rule, the amount of phosphorus reduction in the diet will cause a similar
phosphorus reduction in the manure.
?ith the reduction of phosphorus in the manure, less land would be re8uired for
manure application while still maintaining the appropriate dietary phosphorus
re8uirement of the pig.
Phytase, a high molecular weight protein, is sensiti!e to the presence of moisture and
high temperature. )herefore, shelf life of the product must be considered and proper
storage of the product needs to be maintained.
Phytase products should be stored in a dark, cool, and dry area. 0heck label of the
product for proper storage and length of shelf life. <f phytase is contained within a
commercial supplement or pre-mi" product, follow the recommended storage method
and re!iew the label for phytase stability
3ecause of the heat and moisture associated with pelleting, enzymes are destroyed;
therefore, the phytase stability in pelleted diets should be considered. 0onse8uently,
when phytase is added to a pelleted diet, spraying a li8uid phytase product onto the
cooled pellet will allow stability of the phytase.
@"ample diets with and without phytase inclusion for mi"ed se" pigs weighing #.6
to #A6 lbs.
Ingredient* No Phytase (lbs.) With Phytase (lbs.) With Phytase (lbs.)
0orn, yellow #5>$..$ #5&6.5> #5&$
oybean 1eal, &A% ..6 .>> .>>
Bimestone (0alcium 0arbonate) #A.. #C #C..
Dicalcium Phosphate #$.# / >.>$
alt+Eitamin+)race 1ineral ##.>$ ##.>$ ##.>$
Phytase - 3A( 4atuphos $666** 6.66 6.#. 6.>6
)otal lbs. >666 >666 >666
----------------------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------
Bysine, % 6./# 6./# 6./#
0rude Protein, % #&.. #&.& #&.$
1etabolizable energy, kcal+lb. #$6> #$#$ #$>.
0alcium, % 6.$A 6.$A 6.$A
)otal Phosphorus, % 6.&/ 6.&6 6..$
A!ailable phosphorus, % 6.>6 6.>6 6.>6
Phytase - ()*+lb. 6.66 #$6 >>/
0ost of the diet F##>.A/ F##>.5# F##>.5$
*<ngredient 0osts2 0orn : F>.66+bu., oybean 1eal : F#C6.66+ton, Dicalcium Phosphate
: F>A6.66+ton, Phytase : FA.66+lb.
**)he phytase product is for e"ample only, not necessarily a recommendation.
)he addition of (6.#. lbs.) phytase at the inclusion le!el of #$6 ()*+lb. will replace
A.# lbs. of dicalcium phosphate. ?ith the ma"imum addition of (6.>6 lbs.) phytase at
the inclusion le!el of >>/ ()*+lb., a replacement of #>.A$ lbs. of dicalcium
phosphate can be achie!ed.
Prepared by Barry G. 1c1ullen, <owa tate *ni!ersity @"tension wine (ield pecialist
and re!iewed by Dr. Palmer -olden, <owa tate *ni!ersity wine pecialist.
(##->/-6#)
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