07 July 2021- The role of phytase feed enzymes in improving nutrient efficiencies, animal performance and livestock sustainability means they have become an important component of modern livestock production.
Still, given the diversity of diets around the world, there remains a need to better understand the exact interactions between phytase and feed ingredients to arrive at an optimal dosing for maximum effect. And this is even more true as pressure for agriculture to meet sustainability targets causes diets to change, for example as producers are looking to reduce phosphorous and nitrogen emissions.
In order to help maintain its position as a research and innovation leader in this highly competitive market, Danisco Animal Nutrition (IFF) has been undertaking this research. Today, Dr. Yueming Dersjant-Li, Senior Scientist at Danisco Animal Nutrition (IFF), explains her recent findings on phytase matrices and inorganic phosphorus-free diets, and talks about what the company’s own Axtra PHY GOLD can offer to animal producers.
[Feedinfo] The goal of your recent research was to deliver more precise recommendations for feed formulations. Can you explain the research you carried out, and summarise your findings?
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[Yueming Dersjant-Li] Improving the accuracy of our recommendations demanded scientifically robust data, method transparency and the flexibility to adapt to different formulation approaches. To achieve this goal for the phosphorous matrix, we carried out 12 studies in both broilers and pigs which covered globally representative diets, breed, a wider range of phytate level and limestone solubility. The resulting data means we are now able to provide tailor-made matrix values according to phytate level, limestone solubility, and feeding phases across the entire dose range; from 250 to 4,000 FTU/kg feed. For digestible amino acids, the matrix includes 18 amino acids and will be generated based on the actual feed formulation, with a correction for synthetic amino acids. The metabolisable energy (ME) matrix will be generated based on ME starting levels of the diets and specified age groups. So, our matrix approach is not one-size-fits-all, but is aligned with the actual feed formulation – thereby increasing applicability, as well as customer confidence. |
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[Feedinfo] Why is accurate phytase dosing so important, and how can customers optimise dosing?
[Yueming Dersjant-Li] Today’s phytase application is very different to even five years ago. Gone are fixed dose recommendations. Instead, we provide optimal dose recommendations based on individual circumstances, such as phytate level in the diets, which will maximise performance and economic impact every time. And because Axtra PHY GOLD is supported by phytate and limestone solubility dependent matrix values across the full recommended dose range, it is the most reliable and flexible solution currently available. Plus, this focus on greater accuracy also extends to the use of complementary non-phytase enzymes in addition to Axtra PHY GOLD, enabling us to recommend optimal dose as well as data driven combination matrix values.
[Feedinfo] Your research also looked into the science behind inorganic P-free diets from day one. Why is this important, and is it achievable?
[Yueming Dersjant-Li] Driving the science towards inorganic P-free diets will remain one of the main focus areas for our phytase R&D over the next few years. As an industry, we need to respond to growing societal demand for more sustainable practices. So, by totally removing inorganic phosphates and making targeted adjustments to feeding practices, we aim to drive the adoption of inorganic P-free diets from start to finish in both poultry and swine.
As part of this strategy, we have carried out three small and medium scale studies at Texas A&M University and IRTA. These studies, together with a subsequent commercial scale trial at Schothorst Feed Research in the Netherlands, demonstrated that total removal of inorganic P from day one in broilers is achievable with proper management, including sufficient phytate P level. Importantly, these research projects show that inorganic P-free diets are a viable possibility from day one, which is an important step forward – as well as an industry first.
[Feedinfo] What is behind Danisco’s claim that Axtra PHY GOLD is the most bioefficacious phytase enzyme currently available on the market? How does the PH profile of Axtra PHY GOLD help phytate break down faster?
[Yueming Dersjant-Li] Phytase enzymes need to break down phytate as quickly and as completely as possible to reduce its anti-nutritional effect, so they must be highly active at low pH in the animal’s upper digestive tract.
Axtra PHY GOLD is able to achieve 97% ileal degradation of IP6 at 2000 FTU/kg and 100% at 4000 FTU/kg. These degradation results are achieved with little or no accumulation of lower IP esters at dose levels above 1000 FTU/kg in broilers fed high phytate diets. In other words, it delivers unit for unit superior bioefficacy – as confirmed by independent evaluation carried out by the Kansas State University (KSU) Applied Swine Nutrition Team (KSU Phytase Calculator available here). Furthermore, we selected Axtra PHY GOLD from more than 10,000 variants for its high activity across the pH 1.5-5.5 range, as well as its high stability towards pepsin degradation and superior thermostability.
[Feedinfo] Why is it important that phytate break down quickly?
[Yueming Dersjant-Li] Phytate has strong anti-nutritional effects. Of particular concern is its ability to bind with proteins and amino acids at low pH in the upper digestive tract, as well as with minerals such as calcium and trace elements at higher pH levels further down the digestive tract. Together with other anti-nutritional effects of phytate, such as reducing the activity of protease and increasing endogenous amino acid (AA) losses, this means that precious nutrients are not absorbed by the animal, resulting in reduced bodyweight gain and feed efficiency.
That’s why the superior pH profile of Axtra PHY GOLD is so important. By breaking down phytate early and rapidly at low pH, it delivers unit for unit superior bioefficacy, helping boost overall animal performance. Furthermore, the high activity in the pH range from 1.5-5.5 maximises the phosphorous (P) release capacity along the gastrointestinal tract.
[Feedinfo] Why is thermostability such an important characteristic of Axtra PHY GOLD?
[Yueming Dersjant-Li] Thermostability plays a crucial role in phytase performance. Nutritionists need to be confident that the specified feed contains at least the targeted phytase dose. This is critical for the release of sufficient phosphorous for healthy bone development and is particularly important for young animals. However, the high temperatures used in the pelleting process can potentially damage phytase activity, leading to inadequate intake of dietary phosphorous and potential welfare issues related to the animal’s physical wellbeing. That’s why superior thermostability – together with superior bioefficacy – was such a critical development goal for Axtra PHY GOLD. Indeed, its ability to outperform other commercial phytases in this regard, according to both our own and customer pelleting testing, is a highly influential factor in terms of phytase selection.
[Feedinfo] Given the growing focus on livestock sustainability around the world, do you expect phytase efficiency to continue to develop?
[Yueming Dersjant-Li] I think that as long as there is inorganic phosphorous being used in monogastric diets, there is room for improvement in terms of phytase application. However, even when that major milestone has been reached, the question of whether all of the dietary phytate can be degraded in order to prevent the anti-nutritional effects of phytate will remain. And this is a very different, and difficult, goal. Faced with the additional challenges of an increasingly competitive market, we believe it makes sense for producers to move beyond phosphorous replacement to also look at full phytate degradation. With this in mind, we will continue to invest in expanding our application knowledge and fully expect Axtra PHY GOLD to remain at the forefront of more sustainable developments in broiler and swine production.
[Feedinfo] Where else do you see a potential to further develop our understanding of the effects of Axtra PHY GOLD?
[Yueming Dersjant-Li] It is well accepted that phytase liberates phosphorous and can replace inorganic phosphate. However, recent efforts to maximise phytase applications have shown that the effects of phytase go beyond phosphorous release. These so called extra-phosphoric effects work to increase the availability of amino acids, energy and other minerals, which all drive improvements in growth performance as well as feed efficiency. These developments have led to growing awareness among nutritionists that a tailor-made approach to phytase dosing – as well as a tailor-made matrix – is needed, rather than the traditional blanket recommendation, and Axtra PHY GOLD is at the forefront of this new way of thinking. Crucially, our commitment to continuously delivering the most up-to-date information and insights, through ongoing research and animal trials, means we can help customers make informed decisions to maximise animal performance, profitability and sustainability.
Published in association with Danisco Animal Nutrition (IFF).
