Greater Gastric and Thermal Stability Define DSM/Novozyme Alliance’s New Phytase - INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVES

21 February 2022 - The feed industry hardly needs convincing on the merits of phytase. By liberating phosphorus from the indigestible phytate found in plants, it not only breaks down an important dietary anti-nutrient, but also reduces the dependence on rock phosphates, a non-renewable and increasingly expensive mineral resource, and even reduces the amount of phosphorus emitted into the environment, thus improving the environmental footprint of poultry, swine, and aquaculture. Phytases, therefore, are among the most ubiquitous additives in monogastric feed.

However, despite this popularity, the world’s enzymes leaders have not rested on their laurels. Instead, they remain hard at work improving the performance of phytase. In the latest development, the DSM|Novozymes Feed Enzymes Alliance announced what it calls the next generation of phytase, known as HiPhorius™. We are joined today by DSM Animal Nutrition and Health’s Kostas Stamatopoulos, Global Product Manager for Phytases, and Thorsten Eggert, Innovation Program Director, to talk about why this represents a step forward for the category, and where else the Alliance is focusing its innovation efforts.

[Feedinfo] Why does the market need another phytase?

HiPhorius™ is coming to market at a great time, as it significantly reduces feed costs, which have been on the rise, in addition to making animal protein production more sustainable.

Expensive inorganic phosphates are typically used in poultry, swine & aquaculture production, but incorporating HiPhorius™ reduces the need for this feed ingredient, as it increases phosphorus digestibility across these species. HiPhorius™ represents one way we fulfill our strategic initiative, We Make It Possible, by ensuring efficient use of natural resources and reducing emissions from livestock.

[Feedinfo] How does HiPhorius™ differ from RONOZYME^® HiPhos, the Alliance’s previous phytase product? What makes this product qualify as the “next generation” of phytase solutions?

[Kostas Stamatopoulos] Through continued innovation, Novozymes, DSM’s Feed Enzyme Alliance partner, developed HiPhorius™ with bio-engineering for greater gastric stability and further increased thermal stability, creating a much more robust and efficient product compared to RONOZYME^® HiPhos. These two characteristics lead to at least 20% more phosphorus release at the same standard dose.

[Feedinfo] Tell me about the digital services that go along with HiPhorius.

[Feedinfo] Upon the launch of HiPhorius, you asserted that “phytases are becoming more relied upon as prices of inorganic phosphate continues to rise”. Indeed, feed phosphate prices in the Americas and Europe have increased around 60% over the last year. To what extent has that driven growth in the category?

[Kostas Stamatopoulos] For decades, animal protein producers have relied on phytases as an alternative to inorganic phosphate for both economic and sustainability reasons. Inorganic rock phosphate is a non-renewable resource that needs to be managed efficiently. As prices of this important source of phosphorus have increased over recent years and pressure for more sustainable animal protein production grows, more attention has been given to phytases to deliver greater efficiency.

HiPhorius™ increases phosphorus digestibility, meaning the use of expensive inorganic phosphates can be reduced. Throughout 2021 there has been increasing interest in the use of phytases, and we strongly predict that this interest is going to continue to grow as the price of inorganic phosphates remains high.

[Feedinfo] One of the reasons phytase use is important is to help reduce emissions of phosphorus in animal waste. What are some of the markets around the world which are tightening the rules on phosphorus emissions? Why is this a priority for DSM?

[Thorsten Eggert] Several of the markets are tightening the rules on phosphorus emissions. While this is clearly a hot topic for Europe, we have observed greater awareness of phosphorus and other emissions in many regions.

We are currently seeing more feed and food companies exploring the environmental footprint of their activities. In one case, for example, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CPF (Thailand) intending to measure and improve the environmental footprint of animal protein production through the use of DSM’s Intelligent Sustainability Service, Sustell™.
Above all, for DSM, one of our food system commitments is to reduce phosphorus emissions in poultry. It is a crucial priority for us and it is extremely relevant for the aquatic environment, as excess phosphorus contributes to eutrophication. We have developed HiPhorius™ to address this as a complete phytase solution designed to help producers achieve sustainable and profitable protein production.

[Feedinfo] The feed enzymes alliance has been in existence for more than two decades. What have been the most important evolutions in the market over that time?

[Kostas Stamatopoulos] The main evolutions in the feed enzyme space over the past 2 decades have been phytase, protease and gut health enzymes.
Starting back in the 90s, Alliance’s phytase technology has doubled efficiency, contributing to more economically and environmentally sustainable poultry, swine and aquaculture production. RONOZYME® HiPhos has shaped the 3rd generation phytases thanks to higher phosphorous release together with outstanding thermal stability. And now, with HiPhorius™, DSM|Novozymes Feed Enzymes Alliance is reinforcing its leadership in phytase space.

Another important evolution is the Alliance’s proteases. RONOZYME^® ProAct has improved protein digestibility and reduced the feed cost while reducing nitrogen emissions.

Meanwhile, our Alliance was ceaselessly innovating in order to launch its second-generation feed protease ProAct 360™. It is the new protease market reference, which not only optimizes amino acid digestibility but also supports sustainable animal production, as it reduces costs, mitigates effects of feed protein variability and reduces adverse effects of soy anti-nutritional factors.

The Alliance has also pioneered the newest category of enzymes—those that promote good gut health –introducing this to customers as Balancius™. Through its unique mode of action, targeting bacterial cell-debris, this novel microbial muramidase helps optimize nutrient digestibility and absorption, ensuring that birds get more from their feed to increase poultry performance, gut health and immunity.

[Feedinfo] DSM/Novozymes have quite a broad enzymes portfolio already. Which enzymes products will be the focus of your R&D efforts in the coming years? Where is there room for further improvement in this space?

[Thorsten Eggert] In the DSM|Novozymes Feed Enzymes Alliance we work continuously on the improvement of our comprehensive enzyme portfolio according to customer needs. Our knowledge-based and science-driven approach to develop new solutions for the market will of course continue in the next years. However, it is not just about expanding our portfolio; our scientists and nutritionists are working to anticipate future trends and translate them into new products. Beside the development of more efficient molecules and improved formulations, we at DSM also work on technical services to support the implementation of precision nutrition, for example with respect to digestible calcium or fiber management.

After having the new generation of phytase and protease in our portfolio as mentioned earlier, the next area to focus is the class of carbohydrases, in which we have one of the broadest portfolios in the market. Efficient energy release and fiber management are key areas as well as global trends like the usage of local raw materials. We work on solutions for our customers so that they can master their daily challenges even in a difficult market environment with increasing raw material costs.

Beyond the development of enzymes for improved feed efficacy, one strong driver of our innovation teams is the responsibility to eliminate antibiotics in animal farming as well as increase the animal health and welfare. Enzymes promoting health benefits are in focus for our innovation team, both at gut level and beyond, which is reflected in our robust pipeline of molecules as well as in our services.

We at DSM, together with our Alliance partner Novozymes, take our responsibility seriously and will continue to work on the need to produce food more sustainably, with a lower carbon footprint and less impact on the environment.

Published in association with DSM Animal Nutrition and Health