Phytase-related factors:

Phytase is a protein molecule that can be digested by endogenous proteases. Bacterial phytases have greater proteolytic resistence and affinity for IP6 compared to fungal phytases. Phytases from different sources have different molecular structures resulting in differences in activity, optimal pH, catalytic efficiency and thermostability.

Animal-related factors:

Endogenous phytase activity occurs in the colons of pigs. Supplementing diets with exogenous phytase shifts phytase activity to the stomach and upper small intestine. The pH in a pig’s stomach is 2-2.5 while pH in the crop is 5.2-5.8. This difference in pH of the main phytase activity sites between species results in different catalytic efficiencies of the phytase enzyme.

Dietary-related factors:

Phytate level and its interaction with cations and proteins determines the amount and rate of insoluble mineral-phytate or protein-mineral-phytate complexes formed.

THIS INCREASES THE BIOAVAILABILITY AND ABSORPTION OF INORGANIC PHOSPHOROUS AS WELL AS MINERALS AND AMINO ACIDS. PHOSPHOROUS EXCRETION IS REDUCED WHICH THEREFORE REDUCES THE NEGATIVE IMPACT THAT PHOSPHOROUS HAS ON THE ENVIRONMENT.

PHYTASE SUPPLEMENTATION HAS THE ADDED BENEFIT OF REDUCING FEED SUPPLEMENTATION COSTS AS LESS MINERALS NEED TO BE SUPPLEMENTED.